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Liam Delap was one of this summer’s most-wanted strikers.

The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for Ipswich, with his tantalising £30m release clause attracting numerous suitors after the club was relegated back to the Championship.

He was given permission to speak to clubs in May, with Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest all showing serious interest while Manchester City also held a buy-back option on their former player.

But it was Chelsea who won the race for his signature and, speaking before the Blues’ final Club World Cup group game against Es Tunis on Wednesday, Delap has revealed why – including the pull of Europe and rejoining some familiar faces.

“You never know if it is going to be the right decision but you’ve just got to go with your gut and hope it works out,” he said. “You’ve got to take your time. I took a few days to speak to people and decide my future.”

One of those people he consulted was Chelsea’s star attacker Cole Palmer, who he first played with at Manchester City at the age of 15.

Delap added: “I asked him what I needed to ask him, he told me what I needed to know. But I don’t like too much information. Ultimately it was my decision so I kind of just want my head to be clear.”

Palmer has become the poster boy for Chelsea after two sensational seasons and Delap was asked if he hopes to emulate his former academy team-mate.

“Yeah, of course, that’s the goal,” he said. “I think we both had similar positions and he’s gone and smashed it so hopefully I can also.”

Reports in May suggested Manchester United were front runners to sign Delap but their Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, and a poor league campaign, left them without European football next season – with Chelsea’s Champions League qualification playing a part in Delap’s decision.

“It wasn’t the be all and end all because I was also looking towards future seasons but also it helps,” he said.

The son of former Stoke City and Derby County midfielder Rory Delap launched his career at Manchester City under now-Chelsea manager Maresca. He scored 20 goals and won the PL2 player of the season – as he fired the Italian’s Under-21s squad to the title in 2020/21.

“I’ve got a good relationship with the manager,” he said of Maresca. “I know how he plays. I’ve played in this system before. It’s very similar now but with little tweaks. I know a lot of the players here and the project of the club, how they see the future. That’s what excited me.”

Maresca has previously revealed it was Delap’s decision to take the club’s so-called “cursed” number nine shirt.

When asked whether he believes in the curse, which counts Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao and Fernando Torres among its supposed victims, Delap replied: “No, I’m not that type of person.

Maresca said before the Club World Cup he has no doubt that Delap will become “England’s number nine”.

Yet, Delap’s move forced him into a club versus country dilemma: either play in the Club World Cup with Chelsea, or the Under-21s European Championships with England.

“I had my sights set on the Euros all season and I was really looking forward to that,” he admitted. “But I signed here and they wanted me to be here. I want to be here as well.

“I need to get to know everyone so that’s why I’m here.

“I’m with the boys all the time, it helps me settle in really fast and we can prepare and work on things that we want to use in the season to come.”

England manager Thomas Tuchel has already been to watch Harry Kane play for Bayern Munich and could come to see Delap line up for Chelsea against ES Tunis, or in the knockout stages against potentially Bayern Munich and then Paris Saint-Germain.

Alternative striker Nicolas Jackson is suspended after being sent off in the 3-1 defeat by Flamengo but Delap said: “I was right in front of it when it happened. It was so unlucky. He has obviously not meant to do it; these things happen in football and I am sure he will get over it.”

The club’s new American owners have approved of their proposed investment of $ 20 million, with new chairman Andrew Cavenagh stating that they will stay at Ibrox “for the long haul.”

The four resolutions were approved by the shareholders at a special meeting in Glasgow with 98% support.

One of those was for Cavenagh and his consortium, which includes the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm, to be permitted to enter the Scottish Premiership club with additional funds.

Cavenagh cited three factors in his decision to invest in Rangers: the “supporters’ passion,” the stadium, which he claimed “gives the team an advantage,” and the competitions they compete in, including the league, the cups, and Europe.

Rangers, who finished second last season, have won the Scottish Premiership once in 14 years under the control of rival city Celtic.

According to Cavenagh, the controlling group’s goal is “to put the club in a position to win the league, win cups, and be more competitive in Europe.”

He added that he and his fellow investors are concentrating on building the club rather than making any profit.

He said, “We have a growth plan but no exit strategy.” After growth, “We’ll figure out an exit strategy.”

Russell Martin, a former Southampton manager, soon became the squad’s head coach and Kevin Thelwell took over as Everton’s sporting director this summer.

When asked how the $ 20 million will be spent, Cavenagh responded, “We will be transparent wherever we can be, but we will be opaque elsewhere, and this is one.”

Martin’s first competitive game is scheduled to be against Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying next month, with the Rangers squad arriving for pre-season on Monday.

Marathe, who also serves as a senior executive with the San Francisco 49ers, said he would manage Ibrox through a period of transition.

The club’s new American owners have approved of their proposed investment of $ 20 million, with new chairman Andrew Cavenagh stating that they will stay at Ibrox “for the long haul.”

The four resolutions were approved by the shareholders at a special meeting in Glasgow with 98% support.

One of those was for Cavenagh and his consortium, which includes the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm, to be permitted to enter the Scottish Premiership club with additional funds.

Cavenagh cited three factors in his decision to invest in Rangers: the “supporters’ passion,” the stadium, which he claimed “gives the team an advantage,” and the competitions they compete in, including the league, the cups, and Europe.

Rangers, who finished second last season, have won the Scottish Premiership once in 14 years under the control of rival city Celtic.

According to Cavenagh, the controlling group’s goal is “to put the club in a position to win the league, win cups, and be more competitive in Europe.”

He added that he and his fellow investors are concentrating on building the club rather than making any profit.

He said, “We have a growth plan but no exit strategy.” After growth, “We’ll figure out an exit strategy.”

Russell Martin, a former Southampton manager, soon became the squad’s head coach and Kevin Thelwell took over as Everton’s sporting director this summer.

When asked how the $ 20 million will be spent, Cavenagh responded, “We will be transparent wherever we can be, but we will be opaque elsewhere, and this is one.”

Martin’s first competitive game is scheduled to be against Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying next month, with the Rangers squad arriving for pre-season on Monday.

Marathe, who also serves as a senior executive with the San Francisco 49ers, said he would manage Ibrox through a period of transition.

Lisbon Lion John Clark, 84, passed away in the company of Celtic in tribute to him.

Clark won four league titles and numerous other notable awards while playing for the club in more than 300 games.

His greatest achievement, however, came in 1967 when Celtic defeated Inter Milan to become the first British team to win the European Cup.

“Greatness” is a word that people use, but for John Clark, it is a very fitting tribute,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

John’s contribution to our greatest day ever will be remembered forever in Celtic’s proud history.

After his professional playing days, Clark returned to the club to work in the youth organization. He made his Celtic debut in 1959.

In the 1966- 1966 season, he first worked for Aberdeen and then Celtic as Billy McNeil’s defensive partner before becoming assistant.

He also oversaw Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, and Clyde, but he once more returned to Celtic and spent almost 20 years as a kit man.

He spent more than four decades with the club.

“I know that John’s continued presence at Celtic for so many decades, which included myself,” Rodriguez said.

It has been a great privilege for everyone to have him join us as a member of the club for so long. We were so moved by it. John has made a significant contribution to the club thanks to his wisdom, knowledge, and genuine love for Celtic.

Clark was described as a “very dear friend and colleague,” according to Peter Lawwell, chairman of Celtic.

John, along with his great team mates, did so with such grace and humility, as Lawwell noted, “he was actually a hero to me and so many others.”