Manchester United have reportedly held face-to-face talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap over a potential move to Old Trafford.
The England Under-21 international looks set to leave Ipswich just a year after joining the club from Man City in a £20m deal.
Delap has impressed with his performances in his first season in the Premier League, having scored 12 goals in 36 top-flight appearances for Kieran McKenna‘s side.
Those efforts have made up 34% of Ipswich’s total Premier League goals this term, although those strikes could not stop the Tractor Boys from suffering an immediate return to the second tier.
The relegation has triggered a £30m release clause in Delap’s contract, making him an attractive option for the summer transfer window.
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Man United hold Delap talks
Man United are among those who have been linked with a move, as they look to recruit a new striker as part of a summer rebuild.
According to The Athletic, Man United have made an effort to step up their interest by holding face-to-face talks with Delap.
The 22-year-old was given permission by Ipswich to travel to Manchester to gather more information about a possible transfer to Old Trafford.
The report claims that Delap will hold ‘meaningful discussions’ with all of his potential suitors before he decides which club to join in the summer.
Chelsea are believed to be among the clubs who are preparing to rival Man United in the race for Delap’s signature.
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Why are Man United targeting a new striker?
Man United could strengthen in a number of positions this summer after enduring a disastrous Premier League campaign, mustering just 39 points from 37 matches to leave them in 16th place in the standings.
The Red Devils are currently the fifth-lowest scorers in the division, having netted just 42 league goals this season.
The club’s main striker, Rasmus Hojlund, has only netted 10 goals in 50 competitive appearances, and is being linked with a move away despite being under contract until at least 2028.
Joshua Zirkzee could also leave Old Trafford after scoring just seven goals in 48 games following his arrival from Bologna last summer.
The lack of goals and potential departures reinforces Man United’s need to bolster Ruben Amorim‘s forward options ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
While it remains to be seen whether they could sign Delap, the Red Devils are believed to be making progress in their efforts to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Man United are in a position to sign Delap and Cunha even if they lose Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham and miss out on the subsequent Champions League qualification.
