CHELSEA are increasingly confident of landing Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap despite interest from Manchester United.
The England Under-21 forward, who has scored 12 Premier League goals, has a release clause of just £30million.
United are in the market for a new centre-forward but Delap, 22, is favouring a link-up with the Blues' boss Enzo Maresca, his academy coach at Manchester City.
Chelsea's current recruitment director Joe Shields was instrumental in Delap's move from Derby to join Man City's star-filled academy in 20219.
The signing of Delap would be seen as a huge coup for Chelsea as he is one of the most in-demand young players in this country.
He joined Ipswich last summer from City in a £15m deal, rising to £20million.
He had a release clause of £40m but that has been reduced by £10m now the Tractor Boys have been relegated.
Arsenal have also been watching the forward, whose goals have not been enough to save Ipswich from relegation back to the Championship.
Delap had hoped his form, particularly in the first half of the season, would be enough to get into Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad in March.
Yet he remained with the U21s along with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
But he did train with England’s senior team at St George’s Park ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
Tuchel will name his next squad, on Friday week, for the World Cup qualifier away to Andorra and a friendly at home to Senegal.
But Delap is again set to remain with the U21s as they prepare for the European Championships in Slovakia.
The striker counts a total of 12 goals and two assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season.
Football is in Delap's blood. His dad Rory played for Stoke City, and Delap Jr appeared on the set of Soccer AM in 2014 alongside his father.
The former Stoke City and Ireland midfielder is best remembered for his insanely long throw-ins.
dacdknorsz
0
if we sign delap then we are not serious this can not be an upgrade on Nico
rehblpruz
1
Wow he's Rory's son. Yeahhh let Chelsea buy him please, United should go all out for Osimhen
vewabcimnt
0
This guy is not good enough for Manchester United we don't need 12 goals striker otherwise convert Bruno Fernandez to striker and sign Eberechie Eze
Wizprince11
2
Thank God he his going to Chelsea we need either Gyokeres or Sesko if we can get Osihmen
Teademnsy
1
Delap is a United player, Chelsea stay away
Woubcdkopy
0
what exactly is Chelshit buying players for???????
tor maa ke chudbe bole bokachoda
Asaawalcot12
0
okay let's see how it goes
Alryt
Dadademtuy
1
what exactly is Chelshit buying players for???????
wilbard10
2
he is far better than Delap
wuoadknpr
0
What kind of expensive joke is this, we need a solid striker not whom to groom.
Bobabobaloyy
1
i cant believe this is rory delap's son!! [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
raoaeikmns
0
nice move for Chelsea
AFerGTYQ3198
0
Fool is Ipswich a big club goat
You be big fool . If u don’t understand statement u keep shut 🤫. Where did i wrote about Ipswich being a big club ? Am trying to downgrade player u hear saying trash . Abeg comot for here
Dadademtuy
0
another average player loading, next window he shall be loaned to another club
Vayiklosz
0
what is d different between him n Jackson
, . QA tester I.. . . I. I . I did .. my w :-*:-P:-P:-|:-$loo
Richardoghale
1
Sesko is who Chelsea is going for, not Delap. Stop posting fake news 🎯
Ruueinrsuz
1
man United Kingdom
Peclmnrtu
0
get him signed as soon as possible
AFerusmc6546
0
Na u be mumu . Just 12goals in all competition in just playing weekend to weekend and u think this one go score for big club ?
Fool is Ipswich a big club goat
ceocikouz
0
this App is confused!! Yesterday it was Man UTD, today it's Chelsea, who knows the next tomorrow. but as long as the GOAT Fabrizio Romano have not confirmed it, it's is fake News
emma23
1
We don't need this upcoming players, we upgraded player, enough of this children Chelsea management we have enough already
Tiycekruz
0
i never look down on any player, a player who score 12 goals in a smaller club can be mighty big to give you 20 and above tomorrow, it's a gradually process.
i said he can be mighty big, so it means it depends on him if he works hard. for a player to score 12 in a struggling club.. he can be good in bigger club.
AFerGTYQ3198
0
Delap may not be in Osimhen yet, but he's an upgrade to Jackson, his finishes is of high standard, he has the strength to create ways for himself, I took my time to watch Ipswich games since they started promoting him, he's not bad but Chelsea needs an elite striker, this guy can learn under him
Delap is not an upgrade to Jackson . They both on same level and Delap can’t even be compare with Jackson until he come to big club and prove himself . The pressure big clubs carry is different from small clubs. Delap is never an upgrade to Jackson . Chelsea don’t even need to buy him .
Naokmptuz
0
i never look down on any player, a player who score 12 goals in a smaller club can be mighty big to give you 20 and above tomorrow, it's a gradually process.
Are you sure. If he is better, he would safe his team from Relegation. No to Delap
AFerGTYQ3198
0
U b mumu 4 person weh get 12 for Ipswich u b fool
Na u be mumu . Just 12goals in all competition in just playing weekend to weekend and u think this one go score for big club ?
AFerGTYQ3198
0
i never look down on any player, a player who score 12 goals in a smaller club can be mighty big to give you 20 and above tomorrow, it's a gradually process.
12 goals since when ? Since last year ? So is there any difference btw him and Jackson ?
Tiycekruz
4
i never look down on any player, a player who score 12 goals in a smaller club can be mighty big to give you 20 and above tomorrow, it's a gradually process.
KenSaroWiwa77
0
U b mumu 4 person weh get 12 for Ipswich u b fool
Na Ogun go k!ll you, na your fada be mumu.........were ni iya e
AFerusmc6546
0
Gyokeres will guarantee you 25 - 30 EPL goals every season but stupid Chelsea owners and foolish board members would turn blind eyes on him and would instead bring in another average striker that would struggle to reach 10 goals in all competitions......SMH
U b mumu 4 person weh get 12 for Ipswich u b fool
nonye4real
1
Well i think man utd will not slack on this at all, cause they needed this player than Chelsea does.
KenSaroWiwa77
2
These stupid owners will open their useless eyes and allow ASSnal to sign Gyokeres, then they will be expecting their coach and average players to beat ASSnal next season 😂
Pehcdlmnrt
0
the difference is he shoot better than wasteful jackson
okay let's see how it goes
KenSaroWiwa77
4
Gyokeres will guarantee you 25 - 30 EPL goals every season but stupid Chelsea owners and foolish board members would turn blind eyes on him and would instead bring in another average striker that would struggle to reach 10 goals in all competitions......SMH
pumadelo
0
God dis delap is as gud as giuu y not go for experience strikers with winning mentality dis owners av really finish Chelsea British government dis is not gud o
makenziefoster33
1
delap to Leeds
Hasbeiknuy
1
Bs
kikbdotu
1
we can name a lot of potential signings if not magnificent but high profile names we're mentioning needs higher salaries
tiedenpsy
0
yesterday, Man U have edged Chelsea from Delap, today Chelsea are confident of signing him, which one are we to believe from the same tabloid
Just Imagine...you end up being confused 😕
dacblnorsu
4
Delap may not be in Osimhen yet, but he's an upgrade to Jackson, his finishes is of high standard, he has the strength to create ways for himself, I took my time to watch Ipswich games since they started promoting him, he's not bad but Chelsea needs an elite striker, this guy can learn under him
Hiwcklor
0
Your looking for goal proving striker and the only person you can go is Delap why not continue with the Jackson,bcus he far better than Delap , please get us either osimhen or L Martinez or, Jonathan David or Alexander isak or Viktor gyokeres this are the type of striker Chelsea need bloody fool tod and his entire family business coaching staff 💔😭
dacblnorsu
0
yesterday, Man U have edged Chelsea from Delap, today Chelsea are confident of signing him, which one are we to believe from the same tabloid
Pass2Pogba
0
Utd don’t buy again youngster we need striker who is mature enough who can score 25 to 30 goals minimum because we tried last 7,8 years young forwards Antony martial. Once reach more than 20 goals when he is 25 year old , rashford when he is 25 year old . Young forwards are waste of money we waste money on Antony martial , Hojlund , zirkzee , and few more last 8,9 years Even though old strikers were more efficient , Cavani , imbrahimvic , Ronaldo ( 2nd season ) So only true forward we baught lukaku first year he was good 28 goals 2nd year even though after injuries he scored 14 goals then come ole he don’t like him and sold him best forward since then Pls only go for big name strong strikers who who should boss in defense not young kids
Lukaku got injured and became lazy the same with the rest of the squad now and then. pogba and lingz to name
Pass2Pogba
0
No matter the extent of the drop, Liam Delap cannot be a player that MU will regret missing
13 in 35 isn't good man
Pass2Pogba
0
Chelsea board please we don't need this guy. sesko. or Isak is OK
isak will stay.
Pass2Pogba
0
what is wrong with this coach arent you seeing oshimen buy him first then you can go for this one dont lose him🇳🇬
Nigerian asking for too much money
opulent10
0
what is wrong with this coach arent you seeing oshimen buy him first then you can go for this one dont lose him🇳🇬
Don't you read the news everyday ni? Chelsea fc has a salary cap that won't make them sign Osimhen. Osimhen isn't willing to reduce is weekly wages and Chelsea fc is also not willing to increase their salary cap.
VictoryAdrienne
3
what is wrong with this coach arent you seeing oshimen buy him first then you can go for this one dont lose him🇳🇬
Zuwabesz
3
Chelsea poaching again. too bully
hkck
4
Osihmen must be the first one to sign and Delap is going to be a back up for Osihmen. Nicholas Jackson must go 🚮🗑️🚮😠 Show him the door 🚪
moudiopruz
2
most of you don't watch football... you guys are bunch of scores and table...watch real football