Ipswich’s Delap allowed to speak to other clubs

Manager Kieran McKenna has given Ipswich forward Liam Delap permission to talk to other clubs and explore “his options” for the upcoming season.

The 22-year-old left Manchester City last summer in a deal worth up to £20 million, but he is expected to leave the club in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League after just one season there.

The England Under-21 international, who has a £30 million relegation release clause in his contract, has attracted interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle, as well as a buy-back option from City.

According to McKenna, “Liam is looking at his options for the following year,” which he does and that we support.

This week, I believe we gave him permission to do that. It will be a very important choice for his future. Naturally, there is a lot of interest, and that’s on purpose. I believe some of those conversations occurred during his week.

He has interest from pretty much every club in the league, and I don’t think there are many clubs in the world who wouldn’t want him to move on this summer. “It seems more likely than not that he will move on.

“Nothing is resolved, nothing is finished, or even very close, very quickly, so that process will continue.”

When Ipswich host West Ham on Sunday at 6:00 BST, Delap will look to add to his 12 goals in 36 Premier League games.

No other Ipswich player, whose swift return to the second tier was confirmed in April, has ever achieved double figures in the top flight.

“We will be proud of the impact that Liam’s development and his contribution this season have had,” McKenna continued.

“If he stays with us, we will be delighted, and if he leaves this summer, it will be a positive sign that the club has developed and sold a player at that level, and it will hopefully be a good move for him as well,” he said.