‘Man City to buy back Liam Delap to block Chelsea chase of Ipswich star’
Liam Delap looks destined to make a return to Man City as Chelsea chase the Ipswich striker’s signature.
The 22-year-old made just six first-team appearances for the Citizens, spending most of his senior career at the Etihad Stadium out on loan with Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City.
It was his season-long loan with the Tigers that eventually put him on the map, other than being Rory Delap’s son, notching eight goals and two assists in 32 appearances in the Championship.
City supporters were desperately excited to see the young forward be given a chance by Pep Guardiola, only for the club to sell him to Ipswich Town for £20million last summer [BBC Sport].
Since then, he has only gone from strength to strength at Portman Road, scoring 11 times in the Premier League and proving himself to his former club, who barely gave him a real chance.
Man City join battle to sign Liam Delap ahead of summer transfer window
Now, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on Delap and Ipswich‘s position in the Premier League [Daily Mail].
It is understood that if the Tractor Boys are relegated from the Premier League, the striker will be available for just £40million, while Man City hold another key with a buyback clause in his original exit deal.
Man City have recently been stung by Erling Haaland’s long-term injury, and while he would not replace the Norwegian star, it would be incredibly useful to have his gifts on hand as a back-up.
| Erling Haaland’s 2024/25 season | Liam Delap’s 2024/25 season |
| 28 matches played | 29 matches played |
| 21 goals scored | 11 goals scored |
| 3 assists | 2 assists |
| 5th in the Premier League | 18th in the Premier League |
Guardiola’s side have not quite looked the same since Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid, and with Omar Marmoush now arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt, the trio would be the deadliest attacking the Premier League.
This would give the Spaniard the perfect opportunity to make amends for allowing Cole Palmer to leave City and join Chelsea, with the attacking midfielder becoming their most important star very quickly.
Pep Guardiola cannot afford the same mistake as Cole Palmer’s exit
The Citizens have already knocked back Chelsea’s interest in Nico O’Reilly after being burned on Palmer, with the former having shot to stardom in Guardiola’s team recently after helping claim victory in back-to-back FA Cup matches.
Fans certainly would have been up in arms about the youngster moving to Stamford Bridge, especially when Palmer has notched 39 goals and 23 assists since last summer despite rarely getting a look-in at the Etihad.
A similar situation looks to be occurring now with Delap, that is, unless those in the boardroom snap him up to return on a bargain deal once Ipswich have been relegated back to the Championship.
Considering how well the striker has done since leaving the Etihad, the club cannot afford for Chelsea to take advantage of one of their graduates, especially when it comes to incredible players joining rival teams.
While it might be more about stopping a rival from improving their squad, rather than bringing a marquee player to Manchester this summer, fans would be incredibly excited to see one of their own make a dramatic return.