Chelsea edge out Premier League rivals in Liam Delap pursuit

Liam Delap has been on the radar of several Premier League sides, as well as giants across Europe like Juventus and AC Milan, following his standout season with Ipswich Town, in which he scored 12 goals and provided two assists from 37 appearances in the league.

Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna confirmed that Delap was "looking at his options" for the upcoming campaign and reassured that the player had the club's blessings to prepare for a move elsewhere, giving a clear pathway for interested teams to sign the 22-year-old.

However, it seems as though Delap is now poised for a move to Chelsea, with the Blues emerging as frontrunners ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest due to the Englishman's preference to join the west London side.

Having sealed entry into next season's Champions League is said to have been a key factor in Delap's decision to go for Chelsea. The striker's £30 million release clause, active following Ipswich's relegation to the Championship, will be triggered by Enzo Maresca's side.

With a total agreement reached over his transfer, Delap is now set to pen a long-term deal, reports Fabrizio Romano and 'The Athletic'. Manchester City, who sold Delap in July 2024, will receive 30 per cent of the fee as part of a sell-on clause included in their agreement with Ipswich.