Chelsea have triggered the £30 million relegation release clause in Blues striker Liam Delap’s contract.

TWTD revealed on Tuesday that the West Londoners were in pole position to sign the 22-year-old, who has spoken to a number of sides over the last fortnight.

Earlier, it emerged that some of those clubs had been told Delap had made his decision and would be moving elsewhere.

Now, Chelsea have triggered the release clause with agreeing personal terms a formality with the short 10-day first mini-transfer window of the summer set to open on Sunday.

That has been introduced ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup but it’s understood Delap wouldn’t be able to play for Chelsea in that competition as he’ll be with the England U21s at the European Championship in Slovakia.

The Winchester-born frontman previously worked with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca during his spell as U21s manager at Manchester City where he came through the ranks alongside Cole Palmer.

Delap joined the Blues for an initial £15 million last summer from City, who are understood to be due 20 per cent of Town’s profit.

The one-time Derby County academy youngster played his final game for Town against West Ham United on Sunday, coming on as a second-half sub.

In total, he made 32 starts and eight sub appearances in his one campaign with the club, scoring 12 times.

During the discussions regarding the Delap move, Town have enquired about taking Chelsea striker Marc Guiu on loan but with the 19-year-old understood to be unconvinced by the prospect of the switch.

Photo: Matchday Images

blueoutlook added 18:07 - May 29 I’m waiting to see what Ashton has to say about the deal. He said we were well covered in a deal for Delap a while back. 30 million is a give away. Yes, it doubles what we paid for him but Man City get 20% of any profit made, so I don’t see where Ashton gets this great deal from ?
-39

Andy32Cracknell added 18:15 - May 29 £12 million profit on a player we have had for season is in my opinion “well covered, and a good deal”.
54

Cavendish_Blue added 18:17 - May 29 It's surely a minimum £30m bid, to release him. If more than one club wants him , the price could go up.
-25

braveblue added 18:17 - May 29 Blueoutlook. We doubled our money in a year and got a full season of a top striker. What more could he have done? You don’t get players like that without a release clause if you get relegated. Have we ever made £15 million before?!!!
36

Carberry added 18:19 - May 29 The price doesn't go up, it's then about the personal terms when the release clause has been activated.
15

Carberry added 18:22 - May 29 We aren't making £15m, we have to give Man City 20% of that.
1

Gforce added 18:24 - May 29 We will look back in 10 years time and say why the hell did we give this guy away for just 30 million. I have no doubt he will be a 100 million striker within 3 years. I dread to think what he'll be worth in 5-7 years. Chelsea have got the bargain of the century. The release clause should have been much higher,we have dropped one almighty clanger.
-37

ArnieM added 18:26 - May 29 Cheap as chips. Give away....
-17

Cookieboy added 18:27 - May 29 When all the figures come to light, and any forthcoming deals, I still think we will be short changed for a player we gave plucked away from then Hull and turned him into a real talent
1

Jugsy added 18:32 - May 29 Blimey - so many here thinking they would have done a better job with town contracts. Think of it this way: 1. Delap probably wanted a lower bar in his agreement to ensure fewer blockers if he wanted to move. Player looking after himself and probably wasn't willing to take the risk without it. 2. We're £12million up in the same reporting FFP period, rather than £15million down on his purchase. 3. Showing players will support them in moves to big clubs makes Ipswich a more attractive proposition, versus tying down players to contracts and forcing them to stick around. 4. No-one knew how well Delap would do. In 30 odd appearances in the Championship last year, he scored 8 goals. Plus he's carried mid-term injuries in both of the last two seasons. Probably more factors i've not considered. Remember, we didn't put the £30mill clause in, that would have be on the negotiate of his agent. And if we didn't agree, he probably wouldn't have come.

55

smithy91 added 18:38 - May 29 Shame it was not Newcastle or Forest....because Chelsea just ooze class!
2

Tedray added 18:38 - May 29 Must have lost 30 million on the deal very poor.Every thing at the club is subject to the regulatory spin - the manager is now saying that it is an advantage to have been relegated early. Perhaps if it had been earlier still it would have been even better.An acknowledgement of his failure and a touch of humility would not go amiss.
-43

FoD_Blue added 18:43 - May 29 When we signed him, Southampton were also trying to sign him. The release clause is probably what got the deal over the line for us. £12m profit in a season on a player who we managed to land in front of a competitor isn't a bad deal. He may be worth far more in a few years, but if we hadn't have put in the clause, we would be 12 million worse off then we are now.
33

Bazza8564 added 19:02 - May 29 I genuinely think some of the people on here think we are Real Madrid with a God Given right to have everything our own way.. It's very clear, we signed a whole load of young talent and to protect ourselves inserted double your money relegation clauses to get them here. Delap scored a few goals, showed energy and determination, and is being sold on for a decent profit. without the clause he goes to Southampton. £30m for me feels about right, hes had half a good season, half an OK one, and it looks like the deal may well include a loan deal for a free replacement. @Phil, where do you find some of these people on here?

43

bluelad7 added 19:04 - May 29 Sad to see him go as I would’ve liked to see him rip up the championship. I don’t think it is bad business in any way or form. 12 million profit in 12 months and also showed what other players can become if they come to KMC. Would like to think there is a percentage sell on clause should he leave Chelsea or win x amount of trophies blah blah. Either way, I wish him all the best. He gave his all and that’s good enough for me.

9

Marinersnose added 19:09 - May 29 It’s not just about the money for me as this move will surely derail the development of an excellent young prospect. Sitting on the bench and playing Carabao Cup and maybe F A Cup will not help him at all. His agent is lining his own pocket without considering what’s best for player development. Surely Everton where he would get more game time would be better and Ipswich could insist on a sell on clause because if he gets better his price will rocket.

1

Town1Inter0 added 19:11 - May 29 Would be great if the release clause also included a sell on percentage for us in the future.
5

cartman1972 added 19:19 - May 29 Personally I'm not that fussed about him leaving , the last few months he's been poor and basically picks up a booking every match . Hirst is more than adequate and we've made a £12m profit , now get rid of Al-Hamadi and all will be sweet with the world
1

blues1 added 19:22 - May 29 Gforce. What're you on about? Even with tbe 20% man city will get, we've made a £12m profit in just 1xyear. There's no way we would have got him had we not agreed to the release clause. .And no doubt there will be add ons agreed, and a sell on clause. So a very good deal for the club. .
7

PhilR added 19:32 - May 29 All the press comment on this suggests that the club bought Delap with a fixed price release clause. It is hard to believe this is correct, but I am shocked if it is. It seems extraordinary that the club could have bought him, taken all the risk on him, and agreed to cap its upside. Man City also have a percentage of the upside - effectively Man City also allowed their upside (as a share of it) to be capped. How could a young player like Delap in that situation have such influence that he could dictate those terms? Can't believe the club would have done this.

-11

Roystontown added 19:50 - May 29 Another one season wonder like Waghorn, mind the door don't hit ya arse on the way out
-5

Bergholtblue added 19:57 - May 29 I wish my investments had given me an 80% return. I feel lucky if I acheive 4%.
10

blueboy1981 added 20:00 - May 29 This Club and it’s Supporters NEVER did condone Failure - that’s one reason why we WON our Two Famous Cup Competitions ! Now we are not even allowed to say anything negative, or mention the word failure. What the Hell is wrong with these Club Supporters of Today ?? Is it any wonder then that we have one of the Highest Paid Managers in the Country and been RELEGATED ?? Expect more - as YOU will find the Current Club Owners most definitely WILL !! - or we may just do a Luton Town. Take nothing for granted you easily satisfied fools - and EXPECT MORE - we may then become WINNERS AGAIN !!

-25

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:11 - May 29 All of you saying it's a low fee, none of you , or us would have dreamt he would do as well as he has . It's really easy with hindsight. We doubled our money in a year .
8

StrasbourgBlue added 20:17 - May 29 Sad to see him go, but expected. If this goes through I'm curious to see if Chelsea immediately loan him out to Strasbourg as Strasbourg have Liam Rosenior as manager and qualified for the Conference League or whether they keep him at Chelsea.
2

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls