Manchester United could reportedly sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap for a fee in the region of £40m this summer.
The Red Devils have made bringing in a new forward a priority during this summer's transfer window, and the club have been strongly linked with Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swede potentially available from Sporting Lisbon this summer for a fee in the region of £55m.
However, a recent report claimed that Man United had cooled their interest in Gyokeres and were instead targeting Delap, with the Englishman in excellent form for the Tractor Boys during the 2024-25 campaign.
The 22-year-old has scored 10 goals and registered two assists in 24 Premier League appearances this season, and he is believed to be on the radar of a number of major English clubs, including Chelsea.
Manchester City sold Delap to Hull last summer, and it is understood that the Citizens have a buyback clause in the region of £29.5m, which could potentially be activated ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
However, according to The i Paper, there is also serious interest from Man United, who could sign the striker for a fee in the region of £40m during this summer's transfer window.
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Man United 'could sign Delap for £40m this summer'
Delap recently played suggestions that he could leave Ipswich this summer, telling the East Anglian Daily Times: "I'm so happy here, I'm enjoying it so much here. I just look forward to playing football. I take every game as it comes and focus on the next.
"It [the media speculation] is something that I try and stay away from. People around me have told me to stay away from it, it's something that I'm very good at in focusing on what I want to do. That's playing football here.
"I'm really enjoying my time here and I enjoy playing every week. That's the most important thing. We know, as players and people, that there is noise. If we have a bad game and people are slating us for not performing or getting the right results, we stay focused on ourselves and what we have to achieve."
However, Ipswich are down in 18th spot in the Premier League table and facing relegation back to the Championship for next season.
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Would Delap be a good signing for Man United?
Delap has been excellent for a struggling Ipswich this season, and at £40m, he could be an absolute bargain.
The Englishman is big and powerful, but he is also a willing runner and a reliable goalscorer, which is exactly what Man United need due to the struggles of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford.
Chido Obi made his first-team debut as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and the 17-year-old is being tipped as a star in the coming years, but Man United need a number nine for next term.
Delap certainly fits the brief, and a deal would be much more straightforward for the Red Devils if Ipswich, who will head to Old Trafford in the Premier League at the end of February, are relegated from the top flight this term.
Matt Law
