Chelsea are now the strong favourites to sign Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.

Delap is certain to leave the Blues during the close season with the deal he agreed last summer when joining for an initial £15 million from Manchester City featuring a £30 million relegation release clause.

As previously reported, the 22-year-old spent last week talking to interested parties, making trips to speak to Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle and Chelsea.

While Toffees boss David Moyes admitted his club was an outsider, the other three have all been in serious contention.

Some in Delap’s circle were keen on a move to United, however, the player’s mind has remained open, but we understand Chelsea are now in pole position to land the England U21 international.

The West Londoners will want the deal done prior to the FIFA Club World Cup which gets under way in the US on Friday 15th June.

This summer’s transfer window is in two parts to allow deals prior to the Club World Cup and initially opens on Sunday until Tuesday 10th June. It reopens on Monday 16th June and runs until September 1st.

Town are similarly keen to get the move completed as soon as possible as they look to add to their squad ahead of their return to the Championship.


Delap played his final game for the club against West Ham United on Sunday, coming on as a second-half sub.

In total, the one-time Derby County youngster made 32 starts and eight sub appearances for the Blues, scoring 12 times.

Photo: Matchday Images

JonDouglas4Ballondor added 10:28 - May 27 Much better option than United, Jackson inconsistent so a good chance for him to establish himself as the number one striker.
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gkroon89 added 10:33 - May 27 Does meresca type of football suit him? Have not seen Chelsea play lately, but pass ball may not suit him (if that’s how they play) Man Utd will look a little different next season with Cunha and potentially Mbuemo(if rumours are to be believed). Man U tend to play fast counter attacking football due to Amorims preferred style. It may suit him better. Newcastle would be good, but only if Isak is going. Pointless otherwise.

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bluejacko added 10:35 - May 27 Good luck to him, A bit irrational I know but it does feel as we have been used by his team at least.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 10:40 - May 27 Good luck wherever he ends up. Chelsea a better option than Man Utd imo.
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ArnieM added 10:41 - May 27 Good luck to him but Chelsea! Really??
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cressi added 10:44 - May 27 I don't personally care where he goes. Get the money reinvest in a good striker anyone who wants out get rid.
28

Cookieboy added 10:48 - May 27 Whatever the outcome, best of luck to him. But in Hurst we gave a very capable centre forward, if he keeps free from injury
13

fifeblue added 10:56 - May 27 Reinvest the money in a midfield because Ipswich don't have one currently.
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RIPbobby added 10:58 - May 27 For me the best move from a playing point of view is Everton. He will be the main man there and will get a chance to stake a claim for the world cup squad of 26. The other 3 will surely see his game time limited. I don't have an axe to grind against him. Deep down I hope he goes out on a season long loan. That would be a masterstroke in my eyes. But very unlikely if the £30M release clause is true.

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fifeblue added 10:59 - May 27 I cannot help thinking that Chelsea and Manchester United are his two worst options. I'm surprised Arsenal haven't come in for him. He'd quickly become a legend at Newcastle or Everton.
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fifeblue added 11:02 - May 27 Out of curiosity, if he went out on a season-long loan then would the relegation release clause (£30m) be void since Ipswich are already a Championship club next season? Then they could demand bigger fee for him. If Cunha, for example, is worth £60m+ then Delap must be in that bracket.
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Trojan added 11:05 - May 27 There is no doubt this lad has great potential and his stats for goals in a struggling side is impressive. I sincerely hope the deal is quickly done and that we can find another star in the making to support a fully committed George Hirst next season. The one thing I hope Delap does improve is his behaviour on the pitch, as for me too many bookings are unnecessary and the one this weekend for a blatant push in the back was typical and not needed. This season has been an interesting one and one tat has enabled us to benchmark the standard and difference between the top two tiers. For those that have moaned and have unrealistic expectations, I would urge you to be patient and consider what a better position we are in, across all aspects tan we were two years ago. Lets enjoy the break and get the momentum and atmosphere going for next season, whilst not placing two much pressure on the side before the season starts. Finally, anyone fancy Humphries to be a big player next year !!

12

OliveR16 added 11:38 - May 27 The biggest frustration for me is that, for all his good deals, Ashton muffed this one as plainly KMcK has elevated Delap to a value far beyond £30m. The difference could have paid KMcK's contract!
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mutters added 11:48 - May 27 OliveR16 - I get the frustration on the transfer fee, he is worth more. However if the stories are to be believed, if we didn't offer that clause then he would have gone elsewhere. Southampton were close to signing him. In fairness to Delap he has protected himself (and bet on himself to perform) and we've doubled our investment in less than 12 months. Overall it's not ideal but it's very harsh to say Ashton and the club have muffed this up

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TimmyH added 11:56 - May 27 It will be interesting to see how he gets on with a side which will have far more possession than us...we know his strengths are his strength, aggression and pace but will that suit him at Chelsea? he can be a blinkered at times and should pass at times but I suppose he's still learning.
2

Bazza8564 added 12:02 - May 27 Mutters, Spot on. Delap would not have come here without that clause and there will be clauses all over the place in the event of someone having a standout season. Omari has one for £35m, almost double the £18m we paid in the first tranche, and Delaps is twice the £15m we paid first tranche for him so it looks like Mark has set them at double the initial fee, which feels like good business protecting the other young lads who came here, meaning only silly fees will prize those away As for Chelsea, well there are ups and downs with it. It's a known graveyard for strikers but I do think Liams strength as an effective lone wolf may pay to the way Maresca might want to mix things up next season. Hes better than Jackson who hasn't Set the world alight so he will play regularly and Champions League and in a World Cup year, I can see the appeal. Good luck to the lad too!

11

gippeswyk added 12:12 - May 27 I'm looking forward to seeing him play in a top prem side and hopefully for England one day. He is a raw talent with huge potential at the right club.
5

Churchman added 12:14 - May 27 Mutters: spot on. We will make a profit on the player. If it was that deal for us or watch Southampton take the player and the profit, however small the money, I think I know what I prefer. It appears that some would have happier seeing him to go to Saints. Another stick to beat Ashton and whoever does the negotiating with? Anyway in a sense i see it is a bit like Man City paying us to loan him to us for a season. The odd thing is that seeing him pre season, I thought it was questionable as to whether he could play to the standard he did or would last. He looked by no means the player he turned out to be. Well done him, McKenna and co for coaching him and the club for bringing him in. I wish him well - a big future awaits.

7

urbanpenguin added 13:36 - May 27 Ultimately, it doesn't matter to us as a team. But, personally I would have thought Everton or Newcastle a far, far better fit, to have a team built around him and grow as a player with really loyal, supportive fans in huge stadiums. Chelsea may be all bling, but we have seen how they cast off players on a whim, and how fickle fans turn against them even quicker.
2

itfc2024 added 13:47 - May 27 I think 30 million is more than enough for delap I think it's to much sorry he's not worth that but I'd take 30 million and run and sign a better more reliable striker who wanna be here and play for Ipswich Town unlike him when the going gets tough let's bail out
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Denny32 added 13:51 - May 27 If delap was a lighter frame of a player. He be just ordinary..the fact his big and strong and bulldozes through players and holds up play and scores just rises him up a level...so not fussed about him leaving..its hutch I feel would be a bigger loss out of all the players
1

chripswich added 13:57 - May 27 Office Door opens: Just come to say goodbye Liam… Oh! and can you take Davis with you please, we’ve done a “buy one, get one free” deal. See ya! Door closes:
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SpiritOfJohn added 13:57 - May 27 Maresca knows Delap from Man City days so it makes sense for him to go to Chelsea. Expect Delap to make the next England squad even though Tuchel is only interested in the short-term.
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Ebantiass added 14:06 - May 27 Newcastle would have been a better bet, good luck Liam
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Gforce added 15:13 - May 27 Sorry but I disagree with some on here,as I believe Chelsea will be a great fit for Delap.Im confident he will score a hatful next season. The service he will receive will be unbelievable,with the likes of Caicedo,Enzo Fernandes & Cole Palmer feeding him all game.On top of that he'll have Meduaeke,Neto,Reece James & Cucerella all putting crosses in for him,he will do brilliant, no doubt about it.

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