Chelsea and Newcastle United are Manchester United’s main contenders for the signature of Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.

As per reports yesterday, Delap, who is set to leave Town this summer with the five-year deal he signed when he joined the Blues last July having a £30 million relegation release clause, has spoken to the Red Devils regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.

However, while some in his circle favour a switch to United, who have sought to make the early running, the player himself is understood to be openminded about his destination and is set to speak to the other most interested parties over the next few days.

Chelsea’s interest has long been known along with United’s but Newcastle are one of a number of clubs to make overtures more recently and we understand are now also serious contenders for his signature.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest have also latterly made their interest known but are not among those in serious contention as it stands.

It’s believed all parties want a deal done swiftly, hence Town giving permission to other clubs to talk to the 22-year-old at this stage.

The Blues signed the England U21 international from Manchester City for an initial £15 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons. City are understood to be due 20 per cent of the profit the Blues make on the move.

Last night, Delap, who has scored 12 goals this season, was named the Blues’ Players’ Player of the Year, while he is nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season gong.

Photo: Matchday Images

braintree_blue added 11:33 - May 20 Wonder what sort of reception he will get "if" he features on Sunday??
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Blueray added 11:42 - May 20 Hopefully a good one! He's performed on a regular basis, top scorer and whilst he still has a lot to learn he still put a shift in. The buy out clause was needed just to get him in the building and whilst not a huge pay day for us...still get back double we paid for him (minus Man City sell on)..Don't think his wages would have been outrageous either
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Blueray added 11:42 - May 20 Hopefully a good one! He's performed on a regular basis, top scorer and whilst he still has a lot to learn he still put a shift in. The buy out clause was needed just to get him in the building and whilst not a huge pay day for us...still get back double we paid for him (minus Man City sell on)..Don't think his wages would have been outrageous either
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Lightningboy added 11:42 - May 20 He may well be a "half-season" wonder..hasn't been able to hit a barn door since January. Let's hope this doesn't drag on and on.
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Blueray added 11:43 - May 20 Sorry for repeated message! Probably be rested for the final game....
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dyersdream added 11:44 - May 20 Get a 40% sell on clause
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timetraveler added 11:50 - May 20 Unfortunately I can go back a long time which is depressing. I think I remember correctly town selling Kieron dier and that gave the club the recourses to build for promotion. Perhaps this could have a similar outcome
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ArnieM added 11:52 - May 20 Zzzzzz. I'm past caring about Delap and thus circus that has surrounded him for the whole season. He hit the ground running in the early part of the season, got sussed by PL defenders and in truth has done little else since, except take the obligatory dive, try and muscle up to opponents and get booked. It will be interesting to see how he does at a so called big club. I suspect He needs to invest in a cushion for that bench though....

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Dissboyitfc added 11:54 - May 20 Back then time traveler were a cash strapped club dont think the money from Delap sale will be season altering!
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timetraveler added 12:06 - May 20 Dissboy. Very true but with FFP or whatever it’s now called every bit of extra income helps
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chappie added 12:23 - May 20 With FFP year end of June 30th, I'm pretty sure he'll leave before that date, which will help us significantly in that respect.
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Carberry added 12:41 - May 20 I think we are being a bit unfair judging him in what is effectively is a very poor side. The queue of suitors suggests those who know see something special in him.
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chappie added 12:42 - May 20 I may only be directionally correct, but in broad terms the owners have to put in any cash to bring losses back to the acceptable loss limits across the last 3 years. So the profit on the sale of Delap (say £30m less £6m sell on to man C, less c£12m unamortised of the 5 year £15m purchase) would produce profit in the books of c£12m, which reduces the cash required of our owners to balance the books. Hope that makes sense, and happy to be corrected!

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fifeblue added 13:00 - May 20 He would be a firm favourite at Newcastle. At Manchester United or Chelsea he would risk being a scapegoat for their fickle fans.
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Cafe_Newman added 13:56 - May 20 Liam has been great for us and has a great future ahead of him. That he's going has been inevitable for a long time, I just don't want him to wear red. Brian Talbot, Arnold Muhren, John Wark, Alan Brazil all looked so so wrong in red. Go to Newcastle or Everton or Chelsea if you have to, but not red, please.
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Suffolkboy added 14:05 - May 20 Most of ITFC supporters will be sad to see LD depart ,but grateful for the effort,spirit and improvement we’ve seen.Not enough ITFC attacks have resulted in goals but D’s provided a fair share ( any one else on the comparison sheet??) We really must wish him well wherever he chooses to pursue his future — and hopefully see him mature into the outstanding forward and maybe England player in the next decade ! Thanks L.D ,well done — all the best ! COYB

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CornardBlue added 15:42 - May 20 I think Everton would be a good choice for him, Moyes is a good manager who would get the best out of him.
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TimmyH added 16:57 - May 20 It's a non news story for me...we know roughly what we're going to receive for him due to the clause in his contract, if he's not staying here I couldn't give a monkey's where he's going next.
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OliveR16 added 17:03 - May 20 Even if we'd scraped 17th (I seem to recall that hope before it faded about November 2024) I'm fairly sure he'd be gone this summer. It really isn't much of a story but we wish him well, and thanks for visiting.
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Town1Inter0 added 17:13 - May 20 He should go to Newcastle. He'd thrive under Eddie Howe. He might be 2nd choice striker behind Issak, but there's a lot of football to play at Newcastle next season, including the Champions League.
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JeremiahBrown added 17:32 - May 20 I once read that Newcastle want to play him beside Isak. I think Newcastle would be a good place for him.
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Ipswichbusiness added 18:40 - May 20 He is a high quality young player. Given our relegation I do not blame him for wanting to stay in the PL. I wish him well, instinct is that Newcastle would be his best option.
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