Manchester United are having another underwhelming run this season, with the UEFA Europa League remaining their only hope of silverware.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, the Red Devils are expected to make a number of changes for the next campaign.
Man United have been rumored to be pursuing several prominent names for a potential signing this summer, and one of them is Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Delap has attracted attention with his performances for Ipswich Town, who were promoted to play in the Premier League this season. However, the Tractor Boys have failed to make their mark in the competition and are edging towards relegation.
Delap, who signed a five-year contract with Ipswich Town from his boyhood club Man City in July last year, has been a regular starter for the club in the Premier League, and has netted 12 goals and provided two assists in 34 appearances.
While Delap is contracted with Ipswich for four more seasons, the Tractor Boys are expected to be forced to sell him, especially if relegation becomes a reality.
The forward is also on the transfer target list of Chelsea and some Bundesliga sides.
Delap can make a good addition to Ruben Amorim’s squad, which currently includes Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the frontline.
Fabrizio Romano recently shared an update (via GiveMeSport)addressing Delap’s situation and mentioned that Man United and Chelsea are leading the transfer race.
“It’s between Man United and Chelsea now, both keen on signing the player. They’re ahead of Bundesliga clubs,” said Romano.
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Man United in transfer race with Chelsea to sign Liam Delap
Ipswich Town are currently 18th in the Premier League table with 21 points, having only six fixtures remaining for the season. Should they be relegated, it would certainly be a boost to Man United and Chelsea in their quests to sign Delap.
Fabrizio Romano explained (via OneFootball) that there is a relegation clause of £30 million for Delap. However, both the interested Premier League clubs have taken another step forward for the English star and are learning more about the clause to use it in their favor.
“There is this relegation clause £30m… one of the most interesting strikers in England is available for £30m if Ipswich are relegated. But I can tell you that, even before we know if that clause will be valid or not, now, Man U and Chelsea have both made contact with people close to the player,” Romano said.
“Both Man U and Chelsea are exploring this opportunity, asking how this clause works, asking about the potential salary. So they are exploring a move,” added Romano.
Does Chelsea have an upper hand over Man United to sign Liam Delap?
It appears that Chelsea have been keen on bringing Delap to Stamford Bridge for a while now. Several reports suggested that the Blues were trying to make a move for the forward in the January transfer window as well.
Fabrizio Romano pointed out that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca already knows Delap well, and this could play a major role in their pursuit of the player.
“Already in January, Chelsea were working on Delap. Chelsea have Enzo Maresca who knows the player so well… so they have their own cards, their own options to offer to the player. But now in terms of contacts, something is starting, the first calls, the first conversations… but I think Delap is one of the names we’re going to mention a lot in the summer transfer window,” he said.
While Chelsea might have some tricks up their sleeves to sign Delap, Man United are also not expected to back down. It remains to be seen where the Man City graduate ends up this summer.
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