CONFIRMED: Chelsea favourites to beat Man Utd to 'cheap' Liam Delap

Tom Weber

Updated: 12 Feb 2025 19:34 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea are in pole position to sign Liam Delap in the summer, according to a report.

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The Ipswich Town striker has been one of the breakout stars of the season. Delap joined the Tractor Boys from Man City last year and he immediately made their No.9 position his own.

With nine goals and two assists, Delap has been Ipswich's most reliable attacker and, naturally, he has also attracted the attention of bigger clubs. Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd are all said to be keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.

Man City, meanwhile, have a buy-back clause for their former academy star. However, according to Ben Jacobs, they are not expected to utilise this clause in the summer, giving other suitors a free run at Delap.

Indeed, Jacobs claims that there is already a clear favourite for the striker's signature.

Chelsea to sign Delap?

The journalist reports that Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign Delap in the summer. The Ipswich star is thought to be attracted to their project and believes that he can supplant Nicolas Jackson as their starting No.9.

Delap is expected to leave Ipswich even if they manage to stave off relegation, which is still a possibility as Kieran McKenna's men are only three points off safety at present.

Jacobs confirms that Man Utd are also keen on England youth international, but Chelsea are the front-runners as things stand. Crucially, Delap is viewed as a potentially cheaper option- in addition to being homegrown - than other elite strikers such as Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca knows and values Delap from his time at Man City, but he is far from the only one in the Blues hierarchy familiar with the 22-year-old and pushing to sign him.