Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. According to ESPN, the club has agreed on the basic terms necessary to secure the 22-year-old’s transfer, and they have notified Ipswich of their intention to meet his £30 million release clause, contingent on the player choosing to join them.
Delap, an England youth international, is being pursued by several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Everton. While Everton has already held direct discussions with him, they are considered less likely to win the race for his signature.
Manchester United are among the leading contenders to sign the young forward, alongside Newcastle and Chelsea. Delap is expected to make a final decision regarding his next destination later this week, which could bring an end to ongoing rumors surrounding his future.
United view Delap, along with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, as key targets to bolster their attacking line this summer. The club’s current striking options, particularly Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, have failed to consistently find the net throughout the season.
The lack of goals from Hojlund and Zirkzee is a concern for United. Between them, they scored just seven goals in the Premier League — a total that falls short of Delap’s individual tally for Ipswich. This has prompted United to intensify their search for more effective forwards.
Zirkzee may remain at the club due to his versatility and performance as a number 10 under manager Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup. However, Hojlund’s future at Old Trafford appears uncertain as the club considers a broader overhaul of the squad this summer.
Senior figures at Manchester United have reportedly lost faith in Hojlund’s development, and are open to letting him go. Italian clubs like Inter Milan and Juventus have shown interest in the Danish striker, making a return to Serie A a possibility.
Manchester United’s financial resources are sufficient to complete Delap’s transfer, but to fund further signings, the club will need to offload additional players. This aligns with their plans to cut down the wage bill and reshape the squad, especially with no European football on the horizon next season.