Arsenal make Liam Delap decision as 'favourites' revealed

Cameron Smith

15 Apr 2025 19:30 BST
4 min read

Arsenal are reportedly the only Premier League club not pursuing a deal for Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap this summer.

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The England U21 international has established himself as one of the best young strikers in Europe since his move to Portman Road in July and his form has attracted interest from a plethora of elite teams.

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Current ETV

Liam Delap

F (C), AM (R)

Ipswich Town

Liam Delap

F (C), AM (R)

Ipswich Town

ETV Range

€24.8M - €41.3M

Chelsea and Manchester United have expressed the most serious interest in the 22-year-old over recent months, and Ruben Amorim’s side are now considered the favourites to secure his signature, according to The Daily Mail.

Furthermore, Arsenal are reportedly understood to be the only Premier League club not chasing Delap this summer.

The Gunners are set to sign a new centre forward ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, as Mikel Arteta looks to finally bring a reliable striker to the Emirates Stadium, but Delap will reportedly not be joining the north London giants.

The Ipswich star has scored 12 goals in 31 Premier League appearances so far this season, however Arsenal are expected to focus their attention on finalising an agreement for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres amid his immense form with the Lisbon outfit.

Although a move to the Emirates Stadium is seemingly unlikely to take place, Delap is eager to join a club in Europe - with Arsenal or Chelsea his preferred destination.

That is according to The Daily Star, who claim that Delap has doubts over joining Man Utd as he wants to play for a club competing at the highest level possible in order to improve his chances of being included in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea want Liam Delap

FootballTransfers understands that Chelsea have identified Delap as a key transfer target ahead of the summer window, with Enzo Maresca a known admirer of the 22-year-old.

The pair worked together at Manchester City and before Ipswich’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, Maresca heaped praise on his former pupil.

“In terms of numbers, he's [Delap] doing fantastic,” Maresca told reporters. “I think he's scored 12 [Premier League] goals already. It's not just in terms of his numbers. The way he plays and fights and is always ‘there.’

“To compare Liam with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, I think it's a bit early. But for sure, in terms of style he's that kind of player.”

Delap has four years remaining on his current contract at Ipswich, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €33 million.