Liam Delap has reportedly decided to join Chelsea in the summer transfer window after being linked with a number of Premier League clubs.
The Ipswich Town striker, who has a £30 million release clause in his contract, was given permission to explore his options last week after the club were relegated to the Championship.
Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle United all expressed interest in the 22-year-old, but it appears he will be heading to Stamford Bridge instead.
Liam Delap decides to join Chelsea amid transfer speculation
That’s according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who claims that Delap‘s “preference” is a move to Chelsea.
The other clubs pursuing the England youth international, including Nottingham Forest, AC Milan and Juventus, are “now aware” he is heading elsewhere. Chelsea now have to meet the player’s personal terms and reach an agreement on the terms of his release clause.
Delap impressed in his full campaign as a Premier League player following his £20m transfer from Manchester City last summer. He scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances, although it was not enough to keep the Tractor Boys from avoiding relegation.
Chelsea’s interest in the centre forward was first reported back in November, when the Blues were said to want to bring him in as competition for Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal international scored ten goals in the Premier League this season, two fewer than Delap, although he did find the net 13 times in all competitions.
Read – Maresca reveals what Chelsea got ‘wrong’ following Conference League triumph
Enzo Maresca played down the possibility of signing Delap when asked if the player was of interest to the club last month.
“My perfect number nine is exactly Nico Jackson. We already have a number nine,” the Chelsea boss said.
“It’s not summer now. If we can have a copy of Nico, it’s okay. I have said many times, and you can see as well, with Nico we are a better team. Nico is the one we need.”
Read More – Sancho ‘not coming back’ to Man United after Chelsea loan stint
See Also – Eight things we’ve loved about the 2024/25 season
Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
