Manchester United and Chelsea are eyeing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap after his stellar performances this season.
The 21-year-old striker, who joined Ipswich from Manchester City for up to £20 million, has scored six goals in 12 Premier League appearances.
His display in Ipswich’s recent 1-1 draw with United further showcased his ability, catching the attention of top-flight scouts.
However, Manchester City’s buy-back clause in Delap’s contract presents a significant hurdle. With City needing a backup for Erling Haaland, they could bring Delap back next summer if his form continues to impress.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has downplayed the speculation, emphasizing Delap’s focus on contributing to his team’s success.
City’s Potential Swoop Could Complicate Moves
Manchester City’s buy-back clause gives them the first option to re-sign Delap, potentially scuppering any plans by United or Chelsea.
Delap’s former club may look to bring him back to bolster their attacking depth, especially given Haaland’s importance to their system. This clause makes a direct transfer to other Premier League clubs a challenging prospect.
If a move for Delap becomes unfeasible, both Manchester United and Chelsea are likely to pursue other striking options.
Chelsea continues to show interest in Victor Osimhen, while United could look toward Viktor Gyokeres to bolster their attacking line-up. For now, Delap’s focus remains on Ipswich as he seeks to build on his breakout season at the top level.