Manchester United executives hold face-to-face Liam Delap transfer talks

Manchester United executives have held face-to-face talks with Liam Delap and are advancing on a move for Matheus Cunha.

Delap, 22, was given permission by Ipswich Town to travel to Manchester to get a firsthand sense of what a transfer to Old Trafford would entail. United have competition from several clubs, including Chelsea, and Delap is expected to enter meaningful discussions with all suitors before taking time to decide his move.

Delap’s £30million ($40m) release clause, activated by Ipswich’s relegation, has made him an appealing target after he scored 12 goals in his debut Premier League campaign.

United are also progressing negotiations on Cunha, 25, and there is hope a deal can be struck for when the transfer window opens on June 1. Talks have so far centred on Cunha’s personal terms, with both parties working towards an agreement.

United are yet to approach Wolves directly about payment terms on Cunha’s £62.5m release clause, but there is an expectation this stage would be a relative formality. Wolves are open to accepting instalments. The agreement built into Cunha’s contract outlines that the fee is to be paid in three instalments — the first chunk on signing, then two equal shares over the next two years — but it remains to be seen if United try to negotiate more favourable terms.

United have the finances to sign Delap and Cunha irrespective of how Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur goes, where the winners will secure Champions League football for next season. Other options in the forward positions have been considered, including Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gykores, and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

Why Delap is so coveted

Analysis from senior data analyst Mark Carey, from May 6

Having scored 34 per cent of Ipswich’s league goals — the fourth-highest share of any player — Delap has often been tasked with generating his own chances with limited service from his team-mates.

In a counter-attacking Ipswich side, Delap’s powerful, driving runs forward have been a theme of his season as he has shouldered much of the attacking responsibility with a return of 10 non-penalty goals — at a rate of one in three — for his efforts.

Whether it is thumping finishes from range or delicate flicks at the near post, Delap is in a rush to get on the scoresheet. A desire to get forward is the bare minimum for a striker, but Delap is something of a throwback — an out-and-out striker who is desperate to stretch the opposition back line.

This is highlighted in Delap’s SkillCorner profile below, denoting his off-ball run types as a share of his total runs made. Runs ahead of the ball or in-behind opposition defences take up a healthy amount of Delap’s running real estate, with a large share of cross receiver runs (runs towards goal to receive a possible cross) showing a player who thrives at the sharp end of his side’s attack.

Why Man Utd want Cunha for a No 10 role

Analysis by Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell

Cunha’s familiarity with that position behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation enhances his appeal for United, who want adaptable players but also need new signings to hit the ground running. Cunha’s record against United inevitably colours perceptions too. He terrorised Erik ten Hag’s side when running from midfield on the opening day of the 2023-24 season and, of course, scored direct from a corner past Andre Onana at Molineux this term.

Cunha’s ball-carrying is an important aspect to consider in an Amorim system. Usually, Amorim has a blend in his No 10s, one a creator, the other tasked with running beyond. Cunha could offer a bit of both, but his ability to go past opponents would add dynamism and, importantly, he can carry a scoring edge.

There may be questions about temperament given his bans for reactions against Ipswich and Bournemouth, and his work off the ball at Wolves left some staff wanting more. But he has 12 and 15 Premier League goals in consecutive seasons, after getting two in 17 games while on loan for half a campaign, which is proof of his pedigree. Rasmus Hojlund got 10 Premier League goals last term, but only three this year, while Alejandro Garnacho, who plays as the ball-carrying No 10 under Amorim, has seven and six.

(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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