Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap‘s relegation release clause has activated following his side’s 3-0 defeat against Newcastle United on Saturday, with Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly interested in securing his services.
The Tractor Boys are currently 18th in the Premier League and their tally of 21 points is 15 fewer than 17th-placed West Ham United, so their demotion to the Championship has been confirmed given just four games are left to play in the top flight.
Ipswich’s relegation could trigger a series of exits, with players such as Jacob Greaves, Omari Hutchinson and Sammie Szmodics said to have Premier League admirers.
Centre-forward Delap has also been strongly linked with an exit and considering he has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in the league this term, it is little surprise that Manchester United and Chelsea have been credited with an interest in his signature.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has said that the striker’s £30m release clause has become active, and such a modest fee could attract significant attention.
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Delap at Chelsea
Chelsea managed to defeat Everton 1-0 thanks to striker Nicolas Jackson‘s first-half winner, though that was his first goal in 13 league matches.
The Blues have found the back of the net on 59 occasions in the Premier League in 2024-25, making them the worst offensive side in the top five.
Cole Palmer has also not scored in any competition since January 14, and it is clear that the club will need to reinforce offensively if they are to get the best out of their misfiring forwards.
Perhaps Delap could act as a focal point for Palmer to play towards, though he will need to consistently make runs beyond the last line of defence in order to maximise the attacker’s passing ability.
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Delap at United
While the Blues must reinforce in order to become a team capable of challenging for the title, United’s situation is significantly more dire considering the club have only netted 38 times in the Premier League this season.
Current number nine Rasmus Hojlund has only scored three goals in the top flight in 2024-25, while the expected exits of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho reinforces the need to make multiple additions.
The Red Devils have been linked to centre-forward Victor Osimhen, but Delap’s modest release clause may allow the club to make other needed signings in the summer.
