Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.
The Blues will pay £30 million for the striker after the release clause in his contract became active following the Tractor Boys’ relegation from the Premier League.
Delap was on the radar of numerous clubs after scoring 12 league goals and providing two assists this season, including Manchester United.
However, the Red Devils, Everton, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Juventus and AC Milan were reportedly informed that the player had decided he preferred a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea ‘agree’ Liam Delap transfer with Ipswich Town
The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims the two clubs have “reached an agreement” on the terms of the transfer. Manchester City, who sold Delap to Ipswich for £20m last year, will not activate the buy back clause in the deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Personal terms are “not expected” to be an issue, while Marc Guiu could be moving in the other direction.
Sky Sports News reported earlier on Thursday that Ipswich have an “interest” in the 19-year-old. The player’s name was “mentioned in discussions about the Delap deal” and “fits the type of striker” they want to replace their talisman.
Guiu scored six goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season after joining Chelsea from Barcelona last summer for a reported €6m transfer fee.
Chelsea’s interest in Delap was first reported back in November, when the Blues were said to want to bring him in as competition for Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal international scored ten goals in the Premier League this season, two fewer than Delap, although he did find the net 13 times in all competitions.
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Enzo Maresca last month played down the possibility of signing Delap when asked if the player was of interest to the club, having previously coached the centre-forward at City.
“My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson. We already have a number nine,” the Chelsea boss said.
“It’s not summer now. If we can have a copy of Nico, it’s okay. I have said many times, and you can see as well, with Nico we are a better team. Nico is the one we need.”
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