Chelsea and Manchester United Target Rising English Striker With Low Release Clause - Reports

The 2024-25 Premier League season isn't quite over yet, but Chelsea and Manchester United are already reportedly locked in a battle to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. The good news for both sides is that, as things stand, Delap may not be a prohibitively expensive option. 

Two strikers both sides have been linked to are Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. However, both of them are expected to be expensive options. 

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Sesko, who has been doing well for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, is expected to cost around 67-70 million pounds. Gyokeres, who plies his trade for Sporting CP in Portugal and has played under current United manager Ruben Amorim, will cost a similar fee. 

In that sense, Delap - who is aged just 22 and has scored 12 league goals in what has been a side struggling to compete in the Premier League - will be a better option as he is reportedly set to cost only 30 million pounds. 

Why is Delap a Cheaper Option?

The reason Delap will be available for such a cheap price is because Ipswich are looking likely to be relegated from the Premier League by the end of this season. 

There is reportedly a clause in Delap's contract which states that, should Ipswich drop out of the Premier League, he will be available for the above-mentioned fee. 

It would lead to a host of clubs trying to sign him, especially since even the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool are in need of a striker. 

Can Any Other Club Sign Him? 

Manchester City, the club he left to join Ipswich, could also be an option - especially since they have a buyback clause. 

However, given they have Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush as forward options, Delap seems unlikely to head back to his old club. 

Newcastle United would also like a striker to back up Alexander Isak, and are known to see Delap as one of the options.