Liam Delap snubs Man United to join Chelsea

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is reportedly leaning towards a transfer to Chelsea rather than Manchester United.

Delap was eager to resolve his future before the start of the European Under-21 Championship and is believed to favour a move to Chelsea.

Several clubs, including United, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Everton, have held talks with the striker, who has a £30million release clause following Ipswich’s relegation.

Senior figures at United expected the 22-year-old to choose between them and Chelsea, who recently qualified for the Champions League and secured the Europa Conference League title on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old impressed in his debut Premier League campaign

The Red Devils remain cautious as other Premier League clubs have shown interest in the striker.

Delap emerged as United’s primary striker target after the club finished the Premier League season with a disappointing tally of just 44 goals and a negative goal difference of -10.

A Manchester City academy graduate, Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich last season, having joined the club just last year.

He spent the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons on loan in the Championship, representing Stoke City, Preston North End, and Hull City respectively, scoring 12 goals in 70 appearances.

Delap, whose father Rory was capped 11 times by the Republic of Ireland, has represented England at the Under-21 level.

According to The Athletic, Delap’s list of suitors has been informed that the striker will not be joining them, as he has expressed his preference to sign for Chelsea.

Clubs including Man United, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest have been made aware that Delap intends to reject their advances in favour of a move to Stamford Bridge.