Manchester United could reportedly land Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap for a considerably lower fee than originally anticipated.
United are expected to dip into the market for striker reinforcements in the upcoming window, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to consistently come up with the goods in front of goal.
The Red Devils continue to be linked to a host of attackers including Victor Osimhen (currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon) and Samu Aghehowa (Porto).
However, a report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Delap is United’s top striker target. The England youth international has been the standout performer for the Tractor Boys in what has ultimately been a disappointing return to Premier League football.
Ipswich are teetering on the edge of relegation to the Championship with seven games remaining, but despite their struggles, Delap has managed an impressive return of 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances.
Delap was initially valued at 40 million, but it has now emerged that this figure would drop significantly if Kieran McKennas side suffer relegation.
According to The Guardian, United and Chelsea are “in a tussle” for the 22-year-old, whose release clause falls to 30m in the event that Ipswich go down.
The newspaper further notes, “The issue for Ipswich is not only that City have a 20% sell-on clause. Delaps release clause dropping to 30m in the event of relegation is likely to cause a stir at Chelsea and United, with both sides looking to bolster their attacking options.”
This information has been corroborated by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano who wrote on X, “Liam Delaps release clause at Ipswich Town will be worth 30m in case of relegation.”
“Manchester United and Chelsea, both keen on the player as hes part of their shortlists for the summer transfer window.”
Liam Delaps release clause at Ipswich Town will be worth 30m in case of relegation.
Manchester United and Chelsea, both keen on the player as hes part of their shortlists for the summer transfer window.
Man City also have 20% sell-on clause, as @guardian reports. pic.twitter.com/aXCZYW4aNS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 9, 2025
It’s understood that City are unlikely to use the buy-back option they included when selling Delap to Ipswich.
The player is also unlikely to be too keen on a return to the Etihad as he would be behind Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush in the pecking order.
Featured image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
