Liam Delap has made up his mind. The England under-21 striker has opted to join Chelsea instead of Manchester United this summer, ending speculation over his next move.
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals for Ipswich Town in the Premier League last season. Following Ipswich’s relegation to the Championship, Delap’s £30 million release clause has drawn interest from several top-flight clubs. Now that the clause is set to become active, the race to sign him has reached its conclusion.
Manchester United had been confident of landing the young forward. However, recent developments have shifted momentum in Chelsea’s favor. Delap is believed to be motivated by the opportunity to play Champions League football next season. Chelsea secured a top-four finish and capped off their campaign by winning the UEFA Conference League against Real Betis.
There are also strong personal ties influencing the decision. Enzo Maresca, now head coach at Chelsea, previously worked with Delap during his time in Manchester City’s academy. Joe Shields, the club’s recruitment director, also played a key role in bringing Delap to City from Derby County in 2019. Those connections have helped Chelsea gain the upper hand.
Delap is eager to finalize the move before reporting for international duty. He is expected to represent England under-21s at the European Championship in June, with their opening match scheduled against Czechia on the 12th. Chelsea’s willingness to meet the full release clause means a deal could be wrapped up quickly.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are on the verge of completing a £62.5 million transfer for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha. They had hoped to pair Cunha with Delap in a double signing. But their poor finish to the season and the lack of European competition appear to have damaged their appeal.
Chelsea’s offer of top-level football, combined with familiar faces and a clear plan for development, looks to have sealed Delap’s decision.
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