Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Liam Delap has spoken to Manchester United about a move to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils viewed as the favourites to sign the striker this summer.
There is a £30m release clause in Delap’s contract following Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League, and it appears almost certain that he will be on the move during this summer’s transfer window.
The 22-year-old has scored 12 times and registered two assists in 36 Premier League appearances this term, and a recent report in The Athletic said that the striker had been in Manchester earlier this week to discuss a switch to Old Trafford.
McKenna has confirmed that was the case, but Man United are not the only club in for him, with Chelsea and Newcastle United also believed to be keen to secure his services at the end of the campaign.
“Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he’s entitled to do, and we support him with that. So, yes, we’ve given him the permission to do that this week,” McKenna told reporters during his press conference on Friday after being asked about the reported Man United trip.
Man United ‘planning’ £30m move for Delap
“It’s a very important decision for his future. Of course, there’s a lot of interest and rightly so. So that’s been part of his week, he’s been having some of those conversations.
“It looks, I think more likely than not, that he’ll move on this summer. He has interest from pretty much every club in the league. I don’t think there’s many clubs in the world who wouldn’t want to have him. So I think it’s more likely than not that he’ll move on.
“Of course, nothing’s sorted, nothing’s done or completed or even I think very, very, very close. That process will take its course. We’ll, of course, be proud of the part that we’ve had in terms of Liam’s development and his contribution this season.
“If he stays with us, we’ll be delighted. If he does move on this summer, then it will be a positive sign for the club, a positive step for the club, to have developed and sold a player at that sort of level. Hopefully it will be a good move for him.”
McKenna happy to offer Delap advice on his future
When asked whether he would be willing to help Delap choose a new club, McKenna said: “Yeah, though that had to stay private. I’ve spoken to Liam and he knows that I’ll always try and help him anywhere possible.
“He has a fantastic relationship with the other staff here and other people around the club. He knows that we’re here to support him and help him and guide him as we have done from the first day.
“He’s got great potential. It’s clear for everyone to see, I think, what he’s done this season for a newly promoted team that’s found it really difficult. Not just in his goals, but in some of his performances where he’s been almost impossible for the opposition to handle.
“I’ve said many times, he’s still young. He still has room to grow, to be more consistent, to round off his game. But in terms of attributes, I think he’s as good as what there is out there anywhere in the world.”
Delap has a contract with Ipswich until June 2029, having penned a five-year deal upon his arrival from Manchester City, but the presence of an affordable relegation release clause means that the Blues will find it incredibly difficult to prevent him from leaving this summer.
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