Chelsea have been linked with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap for much of the season, and certainly once the 22-year-old got off to a pretty good start, scoring six times in his first eleven Premier League appearances. He would cool off a bit after that, but still finish with 12 goals and a couple assists while playing in nearly every single game (37 of the 38, with 32 starts).
Though he was not able to rescue Ipswich from relegation, his performances look to have earned him a stay in the top flight. Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Manchester United have all been linked heavily in recent months, especially after his £30m relegation release clause became public knowledge. That clause is now active.
Delap had been expected to perhaps choose Manchester United, but over the past 24-48 hours, the pendulum appears to have swung back in Chelsea’s direction. There’s “growing noise” that we are the favorites, says The Guardian, which is of course vague enough to leave plenty of room for other outcomes, but does signal a shift in the narrative. United look set to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves, which could have motivated this direction change as well.
Delap is expected to make a decision this week ...
“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.”
-Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town head coach; source: BBC
... or maybe not?