Liam Delap has been heavily linked with a move to Man Utd in recent months and could be swayed by the offer of a shirt number at Old Trafford.
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Liam Delap.
Liam Delap could be on the move to Old Trafford this summer(Image: Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Manchester United could secure the number 19 shirt at Manchester United following Raphael Varane's departure and subsequent retirement in 2024.
United are in the process of a major transfer overhaul this summer as manager Ruben Amorim has plans to "improve the team we have" in all areas of the squad. One star that the Portuguese boss is reportedly keen on signing this summer is Ipswich Town striker Delap.
The 22-year-old, who scored 12 goals and assisted twice in the most recent season, could be available for a £30million fee due to a relegation clause in his contract.
Delap has been linked with several clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton and United, ahead of the summer transfer window. It's reported that United have already agreed on the framework of a deal for the young forward, including preliminary personal terms with his agents.
In an attempt to fend off other Premier League sides and lure Delap to Old Trafford, United could offer him his preferred shirt number. The striker currently uses the number 19 jersey, which became available at United following Varane's departure and subsequent retirement in 2024.
Liam Delap.
Liam Delap has worn the number 19 for Ipswich Town and also England
Delap has repeatedly worn the number 19 on his back during his tenure at Ipswich in the Premier League and in his campaigns with England's youth teams. He's also sported the numbers 20 at Hull City and seven with Preston North End, but it appears that 19 has become his chosen figure moving forward.
Fortunately for United, the number 19 shirt is currently up for grabs following the departure of marquee signing Varane, who left for Como during last summer's transfer window before hanging up his boots in September 2024.
Raphael Varane.
Raphael Varane was the last to wear number 19 at United
Prior to leaving last summer, Varane was among Manchester United's top earners. The Mail reported that he had earned a staggering £350,000 every week since his signing in 2021.
Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford are among the noteworthy players who have previously worn the same squad number at United. In light of United's Europa League final defeat to Spurs, Amorim seems set on assembling a less extravagant squad for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
As United gear up for their preseason tour in Malaysia and Hong Kong, Amorim acknowledged the club's dual-strategy approach, which was dependent on the European final result earlier in May. He said: "We always prepare two plans.
Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim will face a season without European football at United
"With and without the Champions League. Without the Champions League, we also don't need a big squad. We can control the squad in a better way. Then we have a plan, that is to bring in some new players, but our big plan is to improve the team we have, to improve the Academy.
"It was the past, so it can be the future. It can't change much because of Financial Fair Play, we are not allowed to do much, even with the Champions League, so we are prepared."
Following the 1-0 defeat against Spurs, which confirmed United's absence from European competition next season, Amorim has voiced his determination to take on board the lessons of past matches and bring silverware back to Old Trafford as soon as possible.
Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim is hoping for more success in the future
He added: "It was important to finish the season, we needed to close that chapter. It's not fully behind us because I have one row of English journalists waiting for the hard questions, so I will rest from that when we finish the tour.
"To tell you the truth, I closed that chapter, I'm excited, I'm nervous, I want to work to the next season, I don't have that feeling that I need to disconnect, I had the feeling to close the season, but now it's a new season, so I am excited at the same moment.
"So, I don't need rest, I just need to prepare for the next season."