Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to sign Blues striker Liam Delap in the summer.

Delap, 22, has a relegation release clause in the contract he signed after joining the Blues for an initial £15 million from Manchester City in July last year which means he can depart Portman Road for £30 million in the close season.

Chelsea and United were among the first to make their interest in the England U21 international known but with Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle United, Everton and Nottingham Forest all now having joined them as decision time approaches.

According to Sky Sports, Delap would be happy to join the Red Devils this summer with Champions League qualification via a Europa League win potentially giving their case a boost when he ultimately makes his choice.

We understand there are indeed some in Delap’s camp who favour a move to United, however, the player himself is still open-minded on his destination but with an exit from Town all but certain.

Delap has scored 12 goals for the Blues this season, his first Premier League campaign.

Photo: Matchday Images

Linkboy13 added 10:38 - May 14 Really feel for Ipswich 1981 he's obviously got some mental health problems hope he gets sorted before the start of next season.
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:42 - May 14 Let's not kid ourselves on the striker front. Delap is a good striker with a high ceiling, that basically does not suit our style of play; our success has been built on a selfless no.9 who knits play together, brings other players into play and contributes himself. Even our own players know what Delap is/does and don't bother following him up when he goes on a run! A move for Delap is works for all parties as we (like most teams that get promoted) need 3 or 4 strikers...1 of whom is a fast as **** ! Am gonna say it....we have not replaced Kayden Jackson ! Delap money should be enough to address these matters. COYB !

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rexron added 10:57 - May 14 He,s already lost for Ipswich. Its the best for both parts. Ipswich get money to renew the squad. Delap is not a championship player.
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Tractorboy58 added 11:30 - May 14 As I understand it £30m is the point at which he can choose to move, but other clubs could bid that price up .. either way I say take the money and run !
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Marcus added 11:37 - May 14 I'm sure Delap will have a long conversation with KM, who knows Man Utd inside out, for insights more relevant than ranting in news comments.
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Smithy63 added 11:37 - May 14 Let him go then he find out really how good he is.we can get a couple of good players for the release clause fee,as the second half of the season uhe has been just average.
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Rimsy added 11:50 - May 14 Newcastle would be a perfect fit for Delap. He would be a cult hero up there in no time. Man U is iffy at the moment.
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chilli added 12:15 - May 14 Well, if he wants to get relegated twice....;)
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thundercat added 12:35 - May 14 Joining Manchester United would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. United have a well-established Premier League team, so where would he fit in. Ambition well exceeding capabilities springs to mind
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Hayes1974 added 12:58 - May 14 The new Connor Wickham? Richard Wright.
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SpiritOfJohn added 13:13 - May 14 It's a shame we can't finish the season before the transfer speculation hits fever pitch. Delap is a strong contender for player of the season, where he has stood out in a disappointing campaign. He has given us some good moments, but not enough to save our season. I hope the paper talk doesn't turn anyone against him, as he is still a Town player until he signs for another team.

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flykickingbybgunn added 15:28 - May 14 Go to United for ambition ? They are only two places above us.
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superblues9 added 15:42 - May 14 It's not suicide at all if he does well there he will end up at Real Madrid like all their other decent players have in the past
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StavangerBlue added 16:27 - May 14 Good luck, Liam. If you choose Man Utd, take them for everything you can.
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Marinersnose added 17:43 - May 14 A massive Club in a massive mess. Ask McKenna. This could be a big mistake as Hoyland found out.
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BangaloreBlues added 18:51 - May 14 Delap is absolute quality. Those who say that he's not premiership quality fail to understand that he was not in a great team this season, and was often left alone to bear the responsibility. He may be better as a front two, with another striker to feed passes to each other. He has the same instincts as Shearer and Kane. I have no doubts Delap will play for England in the next few years, and maybe the first choice striker once Kane has retired.

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GatesPerm added 19:13 - May 14 Wherever Delap goes, he goes with my best wishes and thanks for what he has contributed this year. He is clearly a talented young footballer but one who has a lot of rough edges to round off and further development required to become a top striker. Not least of which is the ability to understand that he cannot always take on a defence single handled and that team mates are sometimes in a better position than he is. I would argue that Hirst maybe has better situational awareness than he does at the moment. Like all talented youngsters with potential he needs to be playing week in, week out to develop and the challenge is how do you achieve that when you go to a top Premiership club (you can debate whether Man U are still a top club). think it unlikely that he would be a starter for Chelsea and Man U, but maybe I am wrong. Would he be better going to a Brighton, Forest, Bournemouth, Brentford, etc, maybe. Anyway, all the best.

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Gazelle added 21:13 - May 14 If Hirst had been given as many starts as Delap he’d have been out leading scorer.
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Gdunkdafunk added 01:40 - May 15 Delap will leave, going to get offered a silly money deal which all of us would take, can't blame him for that. Is he the real deal? I'm not so sure....he needs to get a f*k tonner better to be in Kane's league, he may well realise it himself & wants to cash in while the going is good. Personally, I'd be looking at Newcastle (if they lose Isak) or Arsenal - Gooners need a no.9 & he'd get more delivery. ITFC have failed to get headed goals from our tall centre forwards...pretty sure others wouldn't...a weapon underused by KMK

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ashp19 added 15:49 - May 15 I personally think United is the best move for him when considering the profile of their traditional, successful number 9''s which they've clearly lacked in recent times. An incredible talent all the same and looking forward to seeing how his career progresses. As I shouted at Everton Liam "one more year maybe" :-)
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