Liam Delap has agreed a deal to join Manchester United (Visionhaus/Getty)
Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Liam Delap but could still lose out to Chelsea in the race to sign the Ipswich Town striker.
The 22-year-old has impressed in his first full season in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals for Ipswich who were relegated from the top flight.
Delap, who made his professional debut with Manchester City in 2020, is available due to the £30 million relegation release clause in his deal with Ipswich.
According to ESPN, United have told Ipswich that they will activate Delap’s release clause if the striker informs them that he wants to join Ruben Amorim’s side.
The report adds that United have also agreed personal terms with Delap, who has not made a final decision over his future, but they could miss out as Chelsea and Everton have both registered their interest.
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Enzo Maresca’s side could also have the upper hand over United as they are able to offer Delap the prospect of playing in the Champions League next season.
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lindsey Parnaby/Shutterstock (15316415bq) Liam Delap of Ipswich Town waves to fans after their 1-3 loss to West Ham. Ipswich Town v West Ham United, Premier League, Football, Portman Road, Ipswich, UK - 25 May 2025
Liam Delap scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season (Shutterstock)
Delap, who is the son of former Stoke City, Southampton and Republic of Ireland midfielder Rory Delap, made his professional debut for Manchester City in 2020 before he was sold to Ipswich four years later for £20m.
Speaking last week, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna revealed that Delap ‘has interest from pretty much every club in the league’.
‘Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he is entitled to do and we support him with that. I think we have given him permission to do that this week,’ McKenna said.
‘It’s a very important decision for his future. Of course there is a lot of interest – and rightly so. I think part of his week has been having some of those conversations.
‘It looks more likely than not that he will move on this summer and he has interest from pretty much every club in the league, and I don’t think there are many clubs in the world who wouldn’t want to have him. Nothing is sorted, nothing is done or completed or even very, very, very close, so that process will take its course.’
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