Manchester United and Chelsea have both been chasing a summer deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap who is poised to move on after the club's relegation from the Premier League
Liam Delap is said to be ready to snub interest from Chelsea to sign for Manchester United in the upcoming summer transfer window. The striker, 22, has plenty of suitors and will leave Ipswich Town following their relegation from the Premier League.
With a host of clubs in the market for a new No.9 this summer, Delap's impressive returns - 12 goals in 35 league games - for a struggling Ipswich team, coupled with a relegation release clause of around £30million, has made him an attractive option for teams in the top-flight.
It was previously reported that Chelsea and United were set to battle it out for Delap's services - and it appears the former Manchester City youngster has his sights set on a return north.
talkSPORT claim that Delap is now 'leaning towards' a move to Old Trafford rather Stamford Bridge, even in spite of United's desperately poor season.
It's said that Delap would favour a return to the north-west. United could yet strengthen their hand by qualifying for next season's Champions League should they win next week's Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao.
Ipswich Town's manager, Kieran McKenna, is convinced that Delap is destined for greatness after watching him step up seamlessly from the Championship to enjoy a fine maiden season in Suffolk.
The former Manchester United coach was asked about interest in his star striker from top clubs last month and replied: "As I've said before, I think there's certainly a possibility that he's an Ipswich player next year.
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"I don't think anything's decided in anyone's mind. But can Liam play for the biggest clubs in the country, the biggest clubs in the world? He certainly can. I fully believe that.
"He's already shown the impact he can have at Premier League level in a team that have really been fighting for everything. I think he can have an outstanding impact at this level.
"He's happy and he's developing really well here. He has the potential. I think he will, in his career, go on to do some really, really good things."