Blues chairman and CEO Mark Ashton is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding clauses in the deal which saw Liam Delap join the club from Manchester City for an initial £15 million last summer.

Delap, 22, has impressed in his first season in the Premier League, netting 10 goals so far, and has caught the eye of numerous clubs in the top flight as well as, according to reports, Juventus in Italy.

Chelsea and Manchester United are the clubs to have shown greatest interest, with the England U21 international’s departure from Town appearing all but certain should the Blues go down, despite having a contract which runs to the summer of 2029.

At the time of the move from City it was widely reported that the deal included a buy-back clause with that figure understood to be set at £40 million, although it’s believed the Premier League champions are not currently looking at bringing Delap back to the Etihad. It’s probable other so-far undisclosed clauses also exist.

“What I would say is that what's been reported is never quite fact,” Ashton told the EADT when quizzed on the buy-back clause reports. “It would be remiss of me to speak about any individual player, you know I'm going to say that.

“What I can say is that in January there were was interest in a number of our players from a number of Premier League clubs.

“But the ownership were great. It was ‘you don't have to sell’. So look, we're not an easy club to buy from, because we have such strong ownership.

“Obviously there is always natural point in time when a player has to move. That's the cycle of life, it's the cycle of football. But we are very, very, very well protected with all of that.”

Ashton wouldn’t confirm whether City’s buy-back clause exists: “No. Look, it would be remiss of me to do that. I would actually be in breach of contract for talking in any kind of detail.

“All I would say to the fans is that hopefully an element of trust has been built with us since we took over. We know what we're doing and we're well, well protected.”

Ashton insists that players will only depart Town on the club’s own terms this summer: “Hell, yes.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Bluedocker added 18:33 - Mar 31 Northstandvetran... When Harry Cane was 21 he played on loan at Millwall and Norwich. In the championship so it's not a bad thing...
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Leejames99 added 19:03 - Mar 31 If a top 6 club want to pay silly money I would think Man City would buy him back for 40 mill and let him be cover for Haaland and Marmoush but even if we were offered 40 million it's still better for Man City to buy him back if he is tipped to be next Kane as he is from their academy so is good for FFP but of course he has to want to back or stay at Town we only paid 15 which Man City has so they give us 40 mill which is only 25mill to them because they have our 15, we get 40 million and then Man City sell him for 40 million they get 40 million and the buying club gets the asset, exactly what Villa done with Phillogene - good business, I think maybe Man City sell on percentage comes off but still a big whack. Can't see City letting an Academy player go to a top 6 club and we take the profit minus 20%, it makes sense all round for City to activate buy back. I dont think Delap is worth 40 million yet so be happy to take 40 mill if someone wants to pay it but I don't think he will go anywhere, taking big moves for young players doesn't always work, look at Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount, Chilwell, Abrahams, Brewster, Smith-Rowe etc list is endless. I can see a loan to a Prem club with a swap deal and Spurs would be good as they have 3 very good young strikers in Moore, Scarlett and Lankshear and Mckenna had very long chat with Scarlett after Spurs game. That way we get a good striker, Delap stays in Prem and stock rises but he remains our player. Not at all straight forward as bid, sell, profit.

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churchmans added 19:43 - Mar 31 We went up withouth delap,cajuste,phillips and everybody else we signed after promotion! Im sure we will do it again without them! Make a tidy profit and start again!
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Gforce added 19:45 - Mar 31 I have to say,I'm a little bit surprised by Ashton stating there was interest in a number of our players, from a number of Premier league clubs. With the season we are having I would have thought the only players to be of interest, would be Delap and possibly Cajuste?
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Carberry added 20:18 - Mar 31 Agree Gforce, and Cajuste isn't even ours to sell.
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