Manchester United are among the contenders to complete a £30million deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton all compete foor the 22-year-old's signature
Liam Delap is set to imminently decide on his future after meeting interested clubs. The coming days will likely see the Ipswich Town forward confirm his departure from the club to remain in the Premier League.
The ex-Manchester City youngster is available for £30million, due to a relegation clause placed in his contract after moving to Portman Road last summer. Delap was given permission by the Tractor Boys to hold discussions with suitors who are willing to stump up that fee.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton have all made their case to the 22-year-old striker and Delap is now weighing up his options. The transfer window opens for the first time this summer on June 10.
The Red Devils are said to have agreed the framework of a deal for the young forward, including an outline of personal terms with Delap's representatives, as first reported by ESPN.. A deal could move quickly should the England youth international choose to move to Old Trafford.
Delap scored 12 goals in 36 games in his first Premier League season as Ipswich could not prevent relegation. The striker's reputation only grew however after he completed his £20m move last summer.
Delap and his family have a good relationship with United's technical director Jason Wilcox from their time together at Manchester City when Wilcox was in charge of youth teams. The ex-Blackburn midfielder worked throughout the academy before becoming the academy director where he stayed until 2023.
Chelsea can also offer some familiarity for Delap, with ex-Manchester City under-21s coach Enzo Maresca in charge at Stamford Bridge. Recruitment director Joe Shield also worked at the Etihad as part of the academy's talent management set-up.
Earlier this season, Maresca spoke highly of Delap. The Blues' head coach said: “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].”
Everton boss David Moyes have not given up hope of landing Delap however. Speaking last week he said: “He's spoken to three or four clubs and you know, he's given us the opportunity to pitch our case.
“We're probably a little bit behind the black ball, but you never know what happens.”