Town boss Kieran McKenna has confirmed Blues striker Liam Delap has spent this week looking at his options, having been given permission to speak to Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle, the clubs leading the chase for his signature.

The 22-year-old is all but certain to leave Portman Road this summer with a £30 million relegation release clause in the contract he signed last summer when he joined from Manchester City for an initial £15 million.

McKenna confirmed that the England U21 international has, as previously reported, spent the week talking to Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle, the trio of clubs that, as it stands, Delap is choosing between.

“Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he’s entitled to do and we support him with that,” McKenna said when asked about the situation.

“I think we’ve given him permission to do that this week. It’s a very important decision for his future.

“Of course, there’s a lot of interest and rightly so, so I think part of his week has been having some of those conversations.

“It looks more likely than not that he’ll move on this summer and he has interest from pretty much every club in the league, and I don’t think there are many clubs in the world who wouldn’t want to have him.

“I think it’s more likely than not Liam will move on. Nothing’s sorted, nothing’s done or completed or even very, very, very close, so that process will take its course.

“We’ll be proud of the part that we’ve had in terms of Liam’s development and his contribution this season.

“If he stays with us, we’ll be delighted, and if he moves on this summer, it will be a positive sign for the club, a positive step for the club to have developed and sold a player at that sort of level and hopefully it will be a good move for him as well.”

McKenna says the two have spoken about the striker’s next step: “I think that will remain private but, yes, if you want a short answer. I’ve spoken to Liam and he knows I’ll always try and help him in any way possible, not just myself but he has a fantastic relationship with the other staff here and other people around the club and he knows that we’re here to support and help and guide, as we have been from the first day. He knows we’re here to help him in any way.”

Reflecting on how far Delap can go in the game, the Blues boss added: “He’s got great potential, it’s clear for everyone to see. To do what he’s done this season in a newly promoted team that’s found it really difficult, not just in his goals but in some of his performances where he’s been almost impossible for the opposition to handle.

“I’ve said many times, he’s still young, he still has room to grow to be more consistent, to round off his game, but in terms of attributes, I think he’s as good as is out there anywhere in the world and he’s honed and developed them well this year and we’ll hope he continues to do so.”

McKenna anticipates the Town support giving Delap a positive send-off on Sunday: “I think it will be. I would never tell people what to do, whether they want to boo or clap, but I don’t see any of that, to be honest.

“He’s a young player, he came here in the summer and with these type of deals there are always clauses and protections from the players point of view, you’re not signing a player from Manchester City without that.

“He’s given everything to the cause, he’s entitled to make a decision on what he thinks is best for the future and I think the supporters will look back in time ahead with great fondness to some of his performances and some of the victories he was involved in and I really believe everyone will be following his career, if it isn’t at Ipswich, with the best of wishes.”

Photo: Reuters and Matchday Images

ArnieM added 14:58 - May 23 I'm personally still very disappointed that hes willing to jump ship after one season here. He's got loads more development to go yet, where better than at Town, and help us push for promotion back to PL in just 12 months time. It'll be what it'll be...
6

TimmyH added 15:02 - May 23 So he hasn't been working hard in training to try and stop this terrible home rot and see the season off with a win (which our great fans deserve)?
-3

ip6blue added 15:04 - May 23 Couldn't it wait till after Sunday?
11

DinnernotTea added 15:09 - May 23 Pathetic by all involved. His "future« could've waited just 7 more days to then start talks. Sums up this season by all involved here. Weak limp disinterested.
3

naa added 15:10 - May 23 ArnieM: why would he want to play in the Championship when he's being talked about as the next Harry Kane? Sure, he might end up sitting on the bench somewhere but he's a guy that scored 12 goals in a team who scored very few so the idea of him wanting to go down to the Championship is purely wishful thinking on our part surely. jp6blue: yes, I thought it odd too. Surely he could have focused on his current employer for another week. Surprised Town were OK with it to be honest.

6

cookra added 15:17 - May 23 What are you lot on about Good luck to the lad. Anyone in his position would be considering his future. Get the talks underway as early as possible. Chance to play European football with established premier league teams. Imagine that at 22 A bright future and as a town fan i will support and be proud of the assistance (all be it one season) we had in his progression.
18

ChestnutSe added 15:26 - May 23 Well said Cookra
1

blues1 added 15:29 - May 23 To those saying hexcould have waited until next week? No, he probably couldn't. Teams should are involved in the world club championshipswantcto sign him in time to play in that competition . So needed to get things on the move. Hence, anyone else,competing for his signature,would also wanted speak to him to try to convince him to go there instead. Dont believe the club would have been right to deny him the chance to speak to them. If indeed, they had any choice in the matter anyway. With the relegation release clause already triggered. Hopefully fans wont boo him on Sunday bcse he doesn't deserve that. Won't be holding my breath on that, with a section of fans we have.

0

naa added 15:31 - May 23 cookra: of course he has to consider his future. Don't we all? However, if I asked my employer if I could spend a week off - without using any annual leave allowance - to sort out my CV and go to a bunch of interviews with prospective employers I'd expect them to say "no" quite frankly. Why couldn't he wait a week to consider his future? Have I missed something? Does he need to sort something now or he misses a crucial deadline? Not sure I've ever heard of a player missing a week of training to go and talk to other clubs before.

4

naa added 15:35 - May 23 blues1: that is a valid point. Though are clubs really that bothered about playing a completely new player in that tournament? Maybe I guess. Not the club's problem though. If his meeting with the clubs hasn't affected his time training etc then I don't have much issue with it, but it didn't sound that way from McKenna's comments. As for the booing. I'm with you there. I really hope we don't. But then some on here hate Downes for not wanting to stay at a league 1 club on a downward spiral so who knows?

0

Rimsy added 15:40 - May 23 Makes no difference to our disaster of a season. Get him moved on (and anyone else that wants out) so we kkow where we are and what we have to spend on strengthening. Get it all done early for a change.
2

The_Flashing_Smile added 15:43 - May 23 TimmyH, it's perfectly possible to work hard in training AND talk to others clubs. They don't train all day.
2

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 15:48 - May 23 Some very strange opinions on here . People really expect him to drop down again when he could be playing in Europe next year ! Best of luck to him . I hope he goes onto great things. Those saying it could have waited i think it's probably because of the two transfer windows this year . The sooner we get it done it gives us more time and money to replace him.

5

cressi added 15:50 - May 23 Harsh but I want it dealt with as soon as possible. If his gone I also want a new quality striker in the building not pis*ing about till last day of the window on a unfit player like Broja that was painful viewing.
4

ArnieM added 15:51 - May 23 Naa I think you’ll find Town have accepted he’s off and want it done asap, because of how the transaction will show in the books… see, all about money as per usual.Theres no loyalt6 in the game anymore, Delap is FAR from the finished article and the level of hype surrounding his POTENTIAL is way OTT. He’ll go, I’ve that I’ve no doubt, and I do wish h8m well, but the grass is always greener as the6 say. Many a good player has moved on to the big lights only to fall by the way side. Delap needs to pick his next club very carefully, because there’s not many current PL strikers he’d oust atm on his current level. Financially, £30m is piss poor for Town frankly and cheap as chips in PL terms which is why everyone is clamouring for him. We are in PL terms, giving him away.

2

cookra added 15:52 - May 23 @naa I am sure your boss would expect you to seek employment if you had gone above and beyond your duties. If you have excelled in your area and moved faster than the company has. The club is in a position where it knows its future, there is effectively nothing to play for unless we win a home game (lol) and Leicester slip up. He wants to get it done as early as possible to get his future sorted. the club will then have their money to play with too. Wins all around

-1

Jugsy added 15:53 - May 23 For those thinking the timing of this is poor - it will help us balance the FFP requirements if we can sell him before 30th June, which I believe is the end of the reporting period. It means we will have made £15mill rather than spent £15mill which could be a big impact on the books. Admittedly I hadn't legislated for Ipswich being active in trying to sell him, but it makes sense given his popularity and his release clause.

3

DocMartyn added 15:59 - May 23 If he must go, he should go to Newcastle, where Eddie Howe can get the best out of him (a la KMcK). Either Utd or Chelsea would be career suicide.
2

Churchman added 16:13 - May 23 The sooner it’s sorted the better. Bit of a no brainer really - of course he’s going to move on to bigger, better things. And if he wants to go, fine. Same for anyone else who wants to leave. Where he goes? I’m not interested providing the terms are the best for the club they can be. As for Delap, he’s done his best for us and I think that all being well he should have a good career.

2

irishtim added 16:21 - May 23 Maybe we gave him the week of to get his move with a loan back for twelve months? Wishful thinking.
0

Tractorboy58 added 16:21 - May 23 As a life long town fan and season ticket holder I am only interested in our players and those who fight to pull on the town shirt - Sums up the modern game .. we are still paying his wages and yet he can travel around chatting away to potential new employers while we are still paying him - should stop paying his wages and let him go now !
0

Magic8 added 16:32 - May 23 It's somewhat worrying to read comments from people on this chat who clearly do not understand how modern football works.... Delap has clauses in his contract which allow him to speak to other clubs at this time etc etc etc .. We should be proud that he chose to come here...that we've watched a future star play for us ..wearing our shirt...I'm sure if we were not relegated he would be staying...however we have been and ge has the right to choose his future career path as any employee would particularly if your contract allows it.. He has not played quite so well in the latter part of the season but that can be attributed to playing in a team that is struggling and importantly his youth...young players form always fluctuates...just enjoy watching him grow and say..he was one of us...

3

LegendofthePhoenix added 17:04 - May 23 McKenna has not said anywhere that Delap has missed treaiing this week - just that he has been given permission to talk to clubs. The trainig at Town is not every day and even on training days especially at this stage of the season, it's likely taht the training sessions will be shorter. No reason he can't have had meetings and discussions remotely or on his days off. He has earned it, and ITFC will have made £12+M from his efforts and progression this season. Hope he goes to Newcastle where teh fans will love him.

1

virginblue added 17:14 - May 23 Worrying but not surprising @magic8 Does make me laugh how many on here think running a football club is simple, and that power should not be with the players. We had over 20 years of pain that shows how hard it is. And players have held all the power for a very long time. Half the geniuses in here who criticise the clause in Delap’s contract fail to recognise a simple truth. Without the cause he goes to Southampton, which would have left us with no profit and a much worse season.

1

Dissboyitfc added 17:37 - May 23 Playing in the championship and developing or warming the bench somewhere, playing would be better for his career, as others have stated he needs to pick his next move carefully!
1

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls