Leeds well placed to agree Liam Delap deal as 'ideal' move on the cards

Leeds United have been backed to win the race to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap despite interest from Premier League rivals.

The 23-year-old is expected to be made available by Xabi Alonso following the arrival of Danny Welbeck, placing a number of his long-term suitors on high alert.

While any deal would likely be pricey, with the Blues looking to make a profit on the £30million spent on him last summer, multiple clubs are lining up offers.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds could be the "ideal" destination for Delap to rediscover his form after struggling at Chelsea.

Similar to what has been seen with Dominic Calvert-Lewin since his move from Everton, Daniel Farke has been backed to get the best out of the big number nine.

Meanwhile, beating rivals in the race for Delap would show the sort of ambition which Farke has been demanding from the board since the start of the summer window.

Could Leeds United make a move for Liam Delap?

Football Insider revealed on 5 August that Everton and Coventry are both plotting moves for Delap, while the likes of Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Leeds remain interested.

The Elland Road club have now been backed to beat their rivals to a deal, with the addition of a new striker having been named a priority for Farke this summer.

Delap could feature alongside Calvert-Lewin in what would be a formidable partnership, with the two players' physicality likely to cause nightmares for defenders.

"Leeds is definitely the sort of club that would get the best out of Delap," Brown told Football Insider.

"For me, he's a very good Premier League player, but he's just short of that top rung where Chelsea want to be, and he's not been good enough since he made that move.

"It looks to have knocked his confidence a bit, because we're not seeing that same energy and physicality from him that made him so admired at Ipswich.

"We've seen what Leeds can do for a striker's confidence with Calvert-Lewin, nobody expected him to find his form again after his time at Everton.

"So on that basis, a move for Delap would be ideal, because they could really get the best out of him, and the fans would get on his side as well.

"The manager has wanted a striker all summer, and we know he's looking at ambitious targets, so Delap would be the exact type of player he has been looking for.

"I think there's every chance Leeds could do this deal, even if there are other clubs interested, because he ticks a lot of boxes for them and I'm sure they will for him."

Why could Leeds miss out on signing Delap?

Despite being backed to pull off a deal for Delap, there is still uncertainty about whether Leeds will be prepared to make a move, given Chelsea's lofty valuation.

There have also been suggestions that the striker is unlikely to push for a move away, meaning there will be no pressure on the Blues to lower their demands this summer.

Football Insider revealed on 1 August that Leeds have made contact over a move for Delap, but will not follow up that interest while his asking price remains at £40million.

The Whites are currently unwilling to match that figure, and could be forced to look elsewhere if no changes are made, with other clubs better-placed to pay up.

However, they are keeping a close eye on the situation in the final month of the transfer window in the hopes that Chelsea change their stance and open the door to his exit.