Chelsea Leading Race to Sign Ipswich Striker Liam Delap

Chelsea are in pole position to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with the player reportedly favouring a move to Stamford Bridge despite interest from several Premier League clubs.

Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest have all expressed strong interest in the 22-year-old forward, who has a £30 million release clause in his contract. Manchester City, his former club, also retain a buy-back option.

Delap joined Ipswich from City last summer in a deal worth up to £20 million and has since emerged as a key figure for the club, making 32 Premier League starts and scoring 12 goals in the 2024/25 campaign.

With Ipswich relegated after finishing 19th in the Premier League, the striker was recently granted permission to explore his options. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged the situation ahead of their final game of the season:

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

Sources now indicate that Delap has identified Chelsea as his preferred destination. The West London club’s recent UEFA Conference League triumph, along with their qualification for next season’s Champions League, are believed to have strengthened their appeal. A move to Stamford Bridge would also offer Delap the chance to build on his single Champions League appearance for Manchester City back in 2022.

Ipswich, meanwhile, are already exploring potential replacements. The club is keen on bringing in Chelsea’s young striker Marc Guiu on loan. The 18-year-old Spaniard impressed with six goals in 14 appearances for Chelsea this season but was sidelined for much of 2025 due to a muscular injury. He made his return as a late substitute in the Conference League final in Wroclaw.