Expert hails Liam Delap plan as Man City respond to big-money bid
Noel Whelan has insisted Man City have “plans” for Liam Delap and expect him to challenge Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland in the near future.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 19-year-old is a “real talent” and will only get better if he remains under the wing of the English champions.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano (30 July), Stoke are in advanced talks to sign Delap on loan and are favourites to strike a deal this summer.
He also claimed Southampton have seen a £16million bid rejected – with Pep Guardiola’s side only willing to let the striker leave on loan.
Delap has made just six senior appearances for Man City, scoring once.
However, the highly-rated hitman has a staggering record at Under-23 level – having notched 32 goals and eight assists across 32 outings in Premier League 2.
Whelan insisted Man City “don’t need the money” and hence will seek to “nurture” Delap.
“It’s obviously someone they are in real admiration of,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s come through the ranks and been very successful – and they see him more than we do.
“We’ve seen glimpses of him and he looks a real talent. When he’s training with the likes of Alvarez and Haaland – he’s only going to get better and better.
“They probably don’t want to give him up easy, and that’s why they’re looking to loan him out.
“They’ve got plans for him. And when that’s the case, they want to nurture him in their own way.
“If they wanted money, they would have sold him straight away and took the fee. They don’t need the money.
“What they do want is a new talent who can break through and challenge the likes of Haaland and Alvarez.”
In other news, pundit expecting Jack Grealish to be axed from Man City XI after development.