Chelsea are currently firm favourites to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Former Manchester City striker Delap has hugely impressed during his first season in the Premier League, netting 12 goals in 30 games for a struggling Ipswich side.
As a result, Delap’s agents have already held talks with nearly half of the Premier League this year, meaning the young England striker will have a pick of clubs heading into the summer.
City are one of the clubs who have talked to Delap – those lines of communication have been constant given that they have a buy-back and substantial sell-on clause.
However, City have made it clear that they will not be attempting to bring the 22-year-old back to the Etihad at this point, having signed Omar Marmoush in January.
Chelsea currently in pole position to sign Liam Delap
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Chelsea are firmly leading the race for Delap as things stand.
With a return to City not on the cards, Delap is set to have a big decision to make this summer but he will certainly not be short of options.
READ MORE: Arsenal and Liverpool are still contenders to sign £87m attacker who Man City love
Chelsea have been on Delap’s trail since his City days and sources have told TBR that they even discussed a move for the striker when they signed Cole Palmer in 2023.
Delap himself is aware of how hard Chelsea are pushing and he knows that there is an avenue into their first-team, although he is not their only option heading into the summer.
Chelsea have scouted Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram for example, another number nine who is a hot topic for Premier League sides.
But whilst Chelsea are heading the chase for Delap, the race is far from over.
Tottenham and Arsenal are still monitoring Delap’s future
Manchester United and Newcastle United have also been doing a lot of work on Delap, watching him numerous times and have registered their interest.
TBR can also confirm that Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Liverpool have all touched base with Delap’s camp.
The trio have registered an interest to the point where they have asked to be kept informed of the striker’s situation, whilst Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Ham have also had contact.
READ MORE: Chelsea have begun talks to sign £50m attacker amid Jadon Sancho doubts
Delap’s relegation clause is understood to be £40m, although sources have revealed that it is a ‘complicated’ deal – any agreement is likely to be worth slightly more as it will then be paid in instalments rather than a lump sum.
In addition to English sides, there is also interest in Delap from abroad.
German sides RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt could both be losing a striker this summer – Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike respectively, and both clubs are showing interest in Delap as a genuine option.
