‘Aston Villa to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich’ amid Marcus Rashford uncertainty
Marcus Rashford’s uncertain future at Villa Park could now prompt Unai Emery to bring Liam Delap to Aston Villa on a bargain deal.
Rashford has been a sensational loan signing for Villa, notching three goals and four assists in 12 appearances, but it is unclear what his future holds once he returns to Man United this summer.
Ruben Amorim, who is under serious pressure at Man United as loan stars continue to impress away from Old Trafford, might be prepared to welcome the forward back into the squad, leaving Emery without an attacking star.
Supporters at Villa Park have made their feelings very clear ahead of the summer transfer window, but with no clarity emerging just yet, Darren Bent has tipped the Villans to turn their attention to Liam Delap.
The Ipswich Town striker will be available for just £40million if his club are relegated this season [Daily Mail], with a release clause in his deal, and that could force Emery’s side to take action this summer.
Aston Villa to sign Liam Delap if Ipswich Town suffer relegation
Speaking live via talkSPORT (8 April, 5:42pm), Bent said: “Villa… You don’t know what’s happening with Rashford, and Watkins as well. He [Delap] could be part of that set-up under Unai Emery.
“Even though the expectations for Aston Villa will change now, I don’t think they’ll be aiming to win the Premier League every season. They might win the Champions League, so expectations will change, and he’ll definitely leave. A £40m release clause as well…”
The 22-year-old has netted 12 times in 30 Premier League appearances, attracting plenty of attention from big-name clubs in the division.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards |
| Liam Delap | 33 | 12 | 2 | 10 |
Unai Emery has easy solution to Marcus Rashford concerns
Football Insider verdict
Football Insider understands that Man City are not the favourites to sign Delap this summer, with Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool and Newcastle United all being mentioned in the transfer race.
However, with Villa battling for a top-four spot in the Premier League, a real chance of lifting the Champions League, and even FA Cup glory, a move to Villa Park would be a brilliant chance.
Despite Ollie Watkins being the first-choice striker for the Villans over the last few years, he has certainly not been at his very best this season, and no longer has the backup of Jhon Duran on the bench.
Morgan Rogers is the closest to the forward in terms of goals, five goals off Watkins’ 13 for the league season, with Marco Asensio and Ross Barkley joint-third with three each.
Villa will be desperate for a brand-new goalscorer once the summer transfer window opens, and given Delap’s style at Portman Road, he would be a perfect addition to the squad ahead of next season.