Sources: Leeds make contact over deal to sign £40m-valued Chelsea star

Leeds will only follow up their initial Liam Delap contact if Chelsea lower their £40million asking price, sources have told Football Insider.

Daniel Farke is looking to add to his striking options this summer as Leeds aim to push into the top half of the Premier League.

He was heavily reliant on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goals last season, with Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha struggling to compete for regular starts.

Leeds have registered their interest in Chelsea striker Delap, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, are not willing to meet their £40m valuation this summer.

Delap is being heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge before the window closes.

Leeds admire Liam Delap but won't meet £40m valuation

Chelsea beat a host of rivals to land Delap's services for £30m last summer, but he only managed to score three goals in 48 games in his debut campaign at the club.

He is still attracting attention from several Premier League sides this summer, after impressing enough at Ipswich to earn a move to Chelsea.

Leeds are alongside Everton and Nottingham Forest in the race for his services, but the Blues' £40m price tag is set to be a sticking point for the Whites.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Leeds United, I'm sure, would be interested in someone like Liam Delap if he did become available. Everton are long-term admirers of him as well, and Nottingham Forest have also been credited with an interest in him as well.

"Obviously his asking price might make it prohibitive for some clubs, and again, I'm not sure Leeds would be willing to pay up to £40 million for Delap."

Which other strikers are Leeds targeting?

Leeds held a reported interest in Levante striker Carlos Espi before he completed a move to Real Madrid earlier this week.

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Zian Flemming is a top target for the Whites after he netted 11 Premier League goals for Burnley last season.

Club Brugge star Nicolo Tresoldi has also reportedly emerged onto Farke's radar, after bagging 19 times in the Belgian Pro League in 2025-26.