Manchester City striker Liam Delap was at Town last week but as it stands is not close to a move to the Blues.

The 21-year-old was pictured arriving at Portman Road on Thursday with the photo doing the rounds on social media over the weekend.

However, we understand the former England U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 international has also visited other clubs as he assesses his options for the season ahead and at present talks regarding a switch to the Blues have not got under way, although evidently he is on the list of potential recruits.

Town are in the market for another central striker ahead of their return to the Premier League to compete with George Hirst.

The Blues made an offer ultimately worth €25 million (£21.1 million) to Panathinaikos for striker Fotis Ioannidis a fortnight ago which was their second bid but like the first that was rebuffed.

We understand there has been no progress on that front since but with Town’s offer remaining on the table and so far not matched. However, it’s anticipated Serie A side Bologna will make a bid nearer to the €30 million (£25.3 million) the Athens club have been targeting.

Delap, son of former Stoke long throw expert Rory, was poached from Derby County’s youth set-up by City in 2019.

Since then, he has spent time on loan at Stoke, Preston and last season Hull City where he scored eight times in 26 starts and six sub appearances.

For his parent club, the 6ft 1in tall frontman, who is contracted to City until the summer of 2026, has made two sub appearances in the Premier League as well as four cup appearances, scoring three goals.

Delap is the third member of last season’s Tigers side to be mentioned in connection with the Blues this summer with Town having made a double bid for winger Jaden Philogene and central defender Jacob Greaves, who is understood to have permission to undergo a medical at Town.

Meanwhile, Spanish reports are indicating that Las Palmas will face Town in a pre-season friendly at Portman Road on Saturday 10th August, however, we understand that game is yet to be confirmed and it is still possible the Blues could face different opposition that day.

Photo: Sipa USA

RegencyBlue added 10:39 - Jul 8 What, if anything, is happening around the Greek guy? Seems to have gone very quiet. Don’t think he’s moved anywhere else yet.
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wedgieblue added 10:40 - Jul 8 If he’s doing the rounds at many clubs, he’s not for us. Either you want to come or you don’t. Seeing what the better deal is doesn’t spell commitment to me. Good luck Delap junior… walk on by….
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slade1 added 10:43 - Jul 8 I dont think he is good enough to be honest. His goals ratio is nothing to write home about
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Bluearmy_81 added 10:43 - Jul 8 Stiff and clunky and hardly prolific. Maybe McKenna can develop him though?
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Europablue added 10:51 - Jul 8 wedgieblue So you don't support McKenna either? Personally, I see someone considering their options and still choosing us to be the bigger compliment. In the case of Delap, he has no affiliation with ITFC, so why would he not consider all of his options?
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timetraveler added 10:52 - Jul 8 Just because he is visiting a number of clubs doesn’t mean he is after the biggest pay cheque. It’s just as likely he is assessing which club and coaching staff are going to best develop him as a player
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SuffolkPunchFC added 10:54 - Jul 8 @wedgieblue it's crazy to suggest he shouldn't do his due diligence if a number of clubs have expressed and interest. He'd want to understand the facilities, the club's vision, how he would fit in (first choice, bench warmer, etc) It's naïve to suggest he should blindly agree to join a club without doing his homework, and understanding the 'opportunity'.
15

BlueNomad added 10:59 - Jul 8 I think it is a good sign that he is weighing up everything before deciding his future. Who on here doesn't do that when looking for a job?
13

ArnieM added 11:10 - Jul 8 Exactly!
1

Reality_2021 added 11:16 - Jul 8 Not sure this is worth a loan. Could be a risk using one of the league loan spaces on an a young striker without the best track record so far. Not sure striker and especially goalkeeper is a position that should be taken lightly with a possibility gamble.
0

coolhand added 11:38 - Jul 8 Double Hull deal has been , one medical today and the other end of week. The main point now is what is happening on the goal keeper issue?, there must be some irons in the fire but absolutely no news
3

johnwarksshorts added 11:39 - Jul 8 This one doesn't really excite me like the 2 named players from Hull, but you never know, with the way we've coached and developed players over the last 2 years. Wedgieblue what a ridiculous comment you can't blame the lad for keeping his options open.
1

BlueNomad added 11:45 - Jul 8 George Hirst wasn't prolific but fitted the way we play - why not Delap?
6

Suffolkboy added 11:54 - Jul 8 Let’s keep the faith ! COYB
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BobbyBell added 12:00 - Jul 8 Whether I rate them or not is completely irrelevant because if McKenna wants them that's good enough for me. Goal tally means nothing really because we score from so many players that we don't need a prolific goal scorer just another player who slots perfectly into the team and the playing style. Wedgieblue. If you had a chance at a fabulous new job wouldn't you also check what else was out there first before taking it? Going to the grounds and looking at the facilities seems a very sensible approach to me.

3

Linkboy13 added 12:03 - Jul 8 We didn't have a prolific striker last season did we people on here are living in the dark ages. I was impressed with Delap against us last season has pace and power that's required in the Premier league but wouldn't pay a big fee for him as he's had injury problems.
1

Monkey_Blue added 12:08 - Jul 8 Anyone talking about his goal scoring record need to stop. Tell me what George Hirst’s goal scoring record was prior to moving to Portman Road? It’s not spectacular since then because the way we play isn’t focussed on a striker being prolific. I’m neither league one or the championship have strikers been our main source of goals, it’s been the three behind the striker. Also given his next move will be important why shouldn’t the lad investigate all his options. Technically he’s very good and would fit a McKenna team very well. I would be glad to see him sign and would pick him over the Greek lad who’s never played in English football.

4

keighleyblue added 12:15 - Jul 8 some right dumb comments on here
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bobble added 12:18 - Jul 8 if i was his age i would be checking out the ciders and beers and fishing and party scene in each place before making a decision...
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BeattiesBackPocket added 12:18 - Jul 8 This lad is technically brilliant and played well against us last season. And those moaning about his goals ratio Cole Palmer didn’t score at all in a 16 game run for city before moving to Chelsea either and look what happened there! I’d have this guy in a heartbeat.
3

BeattiesBackPocket added 12:20 - Jul 8 Reality2021 they’re not discussing a loan it’s a permanent switch??
0

uppernorth added 12:30 - Jul 8 Mark Ashton and KMc are aware of all needs and moves. We can all have an opinion but at the end of the day we trust them. A good striker is needed but to be a success we need to score from all areas of the pitch.
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backwaywhen added 12:35 - Jul 8 In McKenna we trust ……
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JewellintheTown added 12:50 - Jul 8 @Wedgieblue - on the positive side, if he's done the rounds looking at other clubs and then choses us, that shows he's committed to us because we're the best of the options. That's what Ben Johnson and Amari have already done & hopefully Philogene and Greaves do too.
3

scottish_williee21 added 13:04 - Jul 8 In McKenna we trust and all that. Also I don’t blame the lad for looking around pretty normal thing to do keeping his options open. I do get why this doesn’t excite anyone as I’m not particularly overwhelmed with it either. Except with the current on going negotiations with the hull players. I do feel we should be looking our interest into premier league experienced players who may be on the fringes of other teams. for example Odsonne Édouard from Palace seems to be down the pecking order and still pretty young.

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