Manchester United are hoping to come out on top in their pursuit of Liam Delap despite facing stern competition for his signature this summer.
It’s thought that almost every top-flight club has etched their interest in the Ipswich Town talisman amid expectations he departs Portman Road at the end of the season.
The 18th-placed side, who sit 15 points from safety, will have no choice but to sanction their star forward’s sale for just £30 million if they’re relegated in the coming weeks. Should they have secured safety, Delap’s release clause would’ve been £40m.
His availability comes at a time when a host of the division’s top dogs are scouring the market for a prolific No.9, with all of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and United preparing to bolster their frontlines ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign.
In the race for Delap, it’s thought United and Chelsea were the two most keen on getting a deal over the line – and the Reds have been tipped to come out on top.
Why United have upper hand over Chelsea in Delap race
Last week, United were ranked as favourites to sign the England U21 international, who’s been deemed something of a Harry Kane heir since he hit the ground running for the Tractor Boys across the season.
Delap has recorded a hugely impressive 12 goals and two assists throughout his maiden campaign as a concrete Premier League starter. Rasmus Hojlund, on the other hand, scored 10 goals in his first United season but has found the back of the net just three times in 28 league games this time around.
Football Insider relayed Ruben Amorim’s desire to welcome the Manchester City graduate when the window opens while also suggesting it’s ‘increasingly likely’ his plan comes to fruition.
Additionally, ex-chief United scout Mick Brown told the outlet: “Delap is on a lot of clubs’ lists. I’m not so sure he’ll be convinced by the move to Chelsea.
“There’s been a lot of talk about him at Man United, and if you’re Delap you can look at that United team and feel confident you can make your mark there. The options they’ve got at the moment are not good enough, so Amorim can promise him he will get regular minutes as their starting striker.
“I don’t think he can do the same at Chelsea, Newcastle or any of the other top sides.”
We could have had 4/5 goals yesterday if we had any decent forwards. They have let us down the whole season and at least 2 prolific forwards are wanted in the summer. We should really be adding more goals from midfield also, and our wing backs should be chipping in with more goals. Amass put some perfect crosses in yesterday but our forwards were not moving into the area. A lot of players will have to move on this summer as we need 5/6 players in.
We need to buy quality players to be able to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and others next season We also hoping that we win the Europa League and get ready for the Champions League next season.
Again, tired legs and Under performing players should allow to leave the club and replace them with fresh legs.
The likes of Mason Mount, Rasmus Hujlund, Eriksen, Rashford, Antony, Lindelof, Jado Sancho, Malacia, Luke Shaw etc, need to leave Man Utd. This would create room for the incoming players.
The transfer business should be done as quickly as possible, even before this season ends.