Liam Delap set for Chelsea medical as Blues beat rivals to signing of Ipswich ace

Chelsea are moving forward ahead of completing their first summer transfer after triggering Ipswich star Liam Delap's release clause with the striker now preparing for a medical

Liam Delap is set to undergo his Chelsea medical on Monday after the Blues triggered his release clause with Ipswich Town. Enzo Maresca's side are set to beat Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton to his signature as they look to get their first piece of business over the line.

The transfer window opens for the first time on Sunday, with the west London side able to get a deal over the line in time for their Club World Cup campaign which is set to get underway in June. Though the beginning of the tournament does clash with England's under-21 European Championship campaign.

Chelsea met the £30million release clause in Delap's Ipswich contract, which came into play following the Tractor Boys' relegation. The striker scored 12 goals in his debut Premier League season having made the move from Manchester City last summer.

Delap is familiar with Blues boss Maresca from the Italian's time working with City's youth setup, and a deal to bring the forward to Stamford Bridge is set to get a step closer, per the Athletic. Chelsea's qualification for the Champions League, secured on the final day of the Premier League season, is said to have been crucial for Delap opting for the side.

It is also said that the ability to become a first-choice option was important to the 22-year-old, with the Blues seemingly offering the best combination of those two factors. Maresca's only senior forward over the last season has been Nicolas Jackson who scored 13 goals in 34 appearances.

Maresca spoke highly of Delap's qualities during the season. The young forward posed Chelsea problems as Ipswich gained four points against their Premier League rivals in 2024/25.

The Blues' head coach said earlier this year: “In terms of numbers, he's doing fantastic. I think he's scored 12 [Premier League] goals already.

“It's not just in terms of his numbers — [it’s] the way he plays and fights and is always there. But he's an Ipswich player. He's an enemy on Sunday because we need to beat them, and then after the game I wish him all the best for the future.

“In the first game, he was quite good for them. We need to deal with that, and we need to do much, much better compared to the first game [the loss at Ipswich].”

Manchester United were said to already have agreed the framework of a deal for Delap, including over personal terms with Delap's representatives. A deal was ready to move quickly if Delap chose Old Trafford as his destination but ultimately, a Chelsea transfer has proved more alluring.