By 90min | Created at 2024-11-29 14:52:43 | Updated at 2024-11-29 17:30:18
3 hours ago
Manchester United and Chelsea are both reported to be among the admirers of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
Delap, who joined Ipswich from Manchester City during the summer in a deal worth £20m, has caught the eye with a return of six goals in 12 assists from the Premier League newcomers, including a double against Aston Villa and a goal and an assist against Tottenham Hotspur.
Unsurprisingly, Delap's form has sparked significant speculation over his future and The Athletic state Chelsea and United are two of several Premier League sides keeping a very close eye on his development.
A move to a top Premier League side appears inevitable if Delap can maintain this form but the final call may be left to City, who are believed to have a buyback clause active on the young striker.
Delap was prolific at Under-23 level for City between 2020 and 2022 and even scored on his debut for the senior side, so his performances will come as no surprise to City. The Manchester Evening News state the deal that sent Delap to Ipswich saw City secure a 20% sell-on clause as well as their buyback clause, effectively giving them complete control over the 21-year-old's future.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, however, recently downplayed suggestions City have a buyback clause for Delap.
"It's not anything I'm aware of or interested in to be honest," he said. "I think that's a question for other people and for [chairman] Mark Ashton.
"What Liam's market value is now...yeah, there aren't too many strikers of that type of football in world football. That's the honest truth. But that's not a concern of mine. All I'm thinking about is trying to push him and help him get better all the time."
