Newcastle United transfer target Liam Delap is reportedly close to choosing his next club.
Delap only joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer but their relegation from the Premier League - confirmed via a 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park last month - has activated a £30million release clause.
But despite the Tractor Boys’ struggles, Delap still managed to score 12 goals, which has attracted interest from several top-flight clubs.
Liam Delap holds talks with Newcastle United
Newcastle United, Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea all held talks with Delap and his representatives last week after being given permission by Ipswich.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna confirmed: “Liam's looking at his options for next year, which I think he's entitled to do, and we support him with that. So, yes, we've given him permission to do that this week.
“It's a very important decision for his future. Of course, there's a lot of interest and rightly so. So that's been part of his week, he's been having some of those conversations.
"It looks, I think more likely than not, that he'll move on this summer. He has interest from pretty much every club in the league. I don't think there's many clubs in the world who wouldn't want to have him. So I think it's more likely than not that he'll move on.
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"Of course, nothing's sorted, nothing's done or completed or even I think very, very, very close. That process will take its course. We'll, of course, be proud of the part that we've had in terms of Liam's development and his contribution this season.
"If he stays with us, we'll be delighted. If he does move on this summer, then it will be a positive sign for the club, a positive step for the club, to have developed and sold a player at that sort of level. Hopefully it will be a good move for him."
Liam Delap close to deciding on his next club
And according to talkSPORT, Delap is close to joining Chelsea. Earlier this month, it had been suggested Man United were leading the race, however missing out on Champions League qualification is said to have weakened their position.
“I've spoken to Liam and he knows that I'll always try and help him anywhere possible,” McKenna added. “He has a fantastic relationship with the other staff here and other people around the club. He knows that we're here to support him and help him and guide him as we have done from the first day.
"He's got great potential. It's clear for everyone to see, I think, what he's done this season for a newly promoted team that's found it really difficult. Not just in his goals, but in some of his performances where he's been almost impossible for the opposition to handle.
“I've said many times, he's still young. He still has room to grow, to be more consistent, to round off his game. But in terms of attributes, I think he's as good as what there is out there anywhere in the world."
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