According to The Athletic, Chelsea are set to sign Liam Delap ahead of their rivals. The English striker has come in for high demand following a decent season with relegated Ipswich Town. The Blues are now poised to beat rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United among others, with the striker informing the other suitors of his desire to join the London outfit.
Chelsea finished their season with a comeback win over Real Betis in the UEFA Europa Conference League final and added the trophy to their otherwise glittering cabinet. The continental victory was the cherry on top of the cake after qualifying for next season’s Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League.
The presence of Champions League football at Stamford Bridget allows Chelsea to operate differently in the transfer market. They are now expected to attract better talents, and one of the key areas they are keen to strengthen this summer is the No.9 role, as a few notable options have already been discussed.
Chelsea remain linked with Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, although at the moment, they are leaning towards signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. The Englishman, who scored 12 goals for the relegated team this season in the Premier League, has a £30 million release clause, which has interested a lot of top teams in the top flight.
Newcastle United may have held talks with Delap, and they were pushing for a move ahead of losing Callum Wilson after offering an incentive-based contract to the veteran striker. Delap is looking for a starting role at his new club, which the Magpies may not offer at the moment. Hence, Chelsea were seen as a much more favourable suitor for the £30 million-rated Englishman in the current window.
Manchester United were once seen as favourites to land Delap, but the £30 million-rated striker was eventually leaning towards a move to Chelsea as per the report. The offer of Champions League football, and a competitive environment at Stamford Bridge, especially for the No.9 role, may have got the Blues the Ipswich Town man.
Chelsea are now set to land Delap, as the striker has now informed other suitors of his preference to join the Blues. It remains to be seen how soon this move closes out, as the Blues are keen to add a new signing or two before the Club World Cup, as Delap looks like the one to make the move to Stamford Bridge in the coming period.
