Chelsea lead race to sign Ipswich’s Delap

After other Premier League clubs learned of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are now in the forefront of the transfer market for Ipswich striker Liam Delap.

Delap has a £30m release clause, and Manchester City also has a buy-back option, according to reports from Everton, Newcastle, and Nottingham Forest.

The 22-year-old, who originally signed for Manchester City for up to £20 million last summer, was given permission to speak to interested clubs this month.

Before his team’s final Premier League game, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna stated that “Liam is looking at his options for next year, which I think he is entitled to do, and we support him.”

Stamford Bridge is now understood to be Delap’s first-choice destination.

Delap has a chance to add to his one-game appearance with Manchester City in 2022 after winning the UEFA Conference League trophy on Wednesday night at the end of last week’s qualifying round for the Champions League.

Delap started 32 games for Ipswich last season and scored 12 goals.

Ipswich, who finished 19th in the table at the end of the season, are interested in signing Chelsea striker Marc Guiu on loan to replace Delap.