Chelsea appear to be wasting absolutely no time in starting our transfer business this summer, having apparently agreed our first deal within 24 hours of the final whistle blowing at the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw last night.
According to multiple reports, including David Ornstein at The Athletic and of course the Transfer Oracle, Fabrizio Romano, we are indeed set to sign Liam Delap here in short order. The 22-year-old had been linked with Chelsea, among others, pretty much all season, and though it looked briefly like Manchester United would win the race, it looks like Delap will be a Blue after all.
There wasn’t much negotiation to be done with Ipswich — we are triggering the £30m relegation clause in the striker’s contract — but we did have to convince Delap himself that Chelsea would be the best choice for him at the moment. The contract is not yet signed, but no problems are anticipated with regards to finalizing those personal terms. Romano credits the combination of a long-term deal, Champions League football, and a chance to reunite with Enzo Maresca as the key factors in convincing Delap to choose the Blues.
Here we go!
BREAKING: Liam Delap to Chelsea, here we go! Agreement in place as £30m release clause will be triggered.
Manchester City will not use buy back clause and Delap has already accepted Chelsea project.
Long term deal, Maresca’s impact + UCL football key. Delap will join #CFC. pic.twitter.com/LmgmfQE8Su
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2025