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

Carberry added 13:38 - Jul 8 We don't want to be signing strikers to 'compete with George Hirst', we want players who are head and shoulders above him, with Prem experience and an eye for goal. Scoring goals is critical to Premier League survival, we need real quality up front.
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The_Prof added 13:40 - Jul 8 At this rate, Hull City will have been promoted last season :-) (for the avoidance of doubt, this is a joke (almost)).
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oldelsworthyfan added 14:18 - Jul 8 Hi Carberry, we'd all love one of them, but at Premiership level these can cost about £50M. The way we play under McK, goals can come from half a dozen of our team, not just one or two players. Even Kane's not doing too well in the Euros.
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Monkey_Blue added 15:20 - Jul 8 Some on here seem to think players like Johnson and Hutchinson considered absolutely no other option than signing for us… what world do you live in? Hutchinson was a guest at Stuttgart for a game… and that’s unlikely to be even close to the only other option he looked at. Johnson had plenty of offers and I’m sure he weighed them up. Delap isn’t local, he isn’t a Town fan and will have lots of offers, but you think he should crawl over broken glass to sign for us without checking all his options. If he chooses another club it won’t be for any reason than he thinks it’s best for him and his career.

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Carberry added 17:13 - Jul 8 I agree oldelsworthy fan, they are a raw and expensive species. The point I am making is Hirst is totally untried at Premier League level so we need someone better acquainted with that standard. And do you think our previous style of play will work and goals will come from a number of players, personally I don't think so. McKenns will have his thinking cap on about how to adapt our style to survive.

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Carberry added 17:14 - Jul 8 That should say rare!
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gosblue added 18:31 - Jul 8 Hands up anyone who thinks two CFs will be enough. Delap would fit into the U21 category if he signed permanently so would not be part of the 25 man squad. An injury to Hirst last season cost us a dip in form before Moore signed. Then we relied too much on Moore before Hirst was fit enough to help us over the line to promotion. I think a minimum of 3 CFs would be sensible. Until we are Cat 1 we will always struggle to develop future Prem starlets of our own.

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BeattiesBackPocket added 19:00 - Jul 8 Carberry so with your thinking we shouldn’t have signed Hutchinson either then as he doesn’t have prem experience? I can’t attach the rolling eyes emoji or I would.
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Carberry added 20:44 - Jul 8 How patronising, BeatiesBackPocket.
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