Liam Delap’s preference is to sign for Chelsea over Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United, and others, GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed.
Plenty of sides have been in the race to secure the signature of Delap after Ipswich Town’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed. The Tractor Boys dropping out of the Premier League lowered Delap’s release clause to £30m, with clubs such as Chelsea, Man Utd, Everton, and Newcastle all showing an interest in keeping him in England’s top flight.
Delap enjoyed an impressive campaign with Ipswich despite their relegation, scoring 12 Premier League goals for Kieran McKenna’s side. His £30m release clause was always likely to be activate by at least one club, and Delap has had his pick of a host of sides.
Delap Chooses to Join Chelsea
Man Utd, Newcastle, and Everton miss out
GIVEMESPORT sources have now confirmed that Delap has chosen to join Chelsea, and he’s waiting on the formalities, including finalising terms. Man Utd, Newcastle, and Everton have been made aware, with Delap wanting to play European football.
| Liam Delap Premier League Stats 2024/25 | |
|---|---|
| Games | 32(5) |
| Minutes | 2613 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 2 |
Enzo Maresca, who worked with Delap when the pair were at Manchester City, has played a key role, with the England youth international sharing a relationship with the Chelsea manager. Delap wants to be playing European football as he feels it will boost his 2026 World Cup chances with England.
The Ipswich striker is set to jet off to the Under-21 Euros and finalise a move beforehand, even with Chelsea off to the Club World Cup. Chelsea see the £30m fee as great value, so they will trigger his release clause so they can bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Delap wanted to solve his situation before heading off to the international tournament, and it now appears that he’s got his wish, as long as the parties can now finalise a deal in the coming days.
