‘Man United lead Chelsea in race to sign Liam Delap’ after Amorim ‘promise’
Man United are leading the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle in the race to sign Liam Delap, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Ruben Amorim will promise the 22-year-old regular first-team minutes.
The opportunity to become the first-choice striker at Man United is believed to have swayed his decision, while he would not be guaranteed regular minutes elsewhere.
Delap has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 32 appearances in his debut Premier League season despite his team’s struggles to pick up points.
As a result, Football Insider revealed in February that Man United and Chelsea want to sign Delap as a number of elite sides have been tracking his progress.
The striker has a £40million release clause in his contract and is widely expected to leave Portman Road following their impending relegation from the Premier League.
Man United tipped to win race for Ipswich star Liam Delap
Brown told Football Insider on 12 April that Man United are exploring a deal for Delap after Amorim gave the green light to sign a new striker.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted that United are growing increasingly likely to sign Delap this summer.
“Delap is on a lot of clubs’ lists,” he told Football Insider.
“I’m not so sure he’ll be convinced by the move to Chelsea.
“There’s been a lot of talk about him at Man United, and if you’re Delap you can look at that United team and feel confident you can make your mark there.
“The options they’ve got at the moment are not good enough, so Amorim can promise him he will get regular minutes as their starting striker.
“I don’t think he can do the same at Chelsea, Newcastle or any of the other top sides.
“They’ve signed a lot of players who can’t get in the team or haven’t played enough – Delap doesn’t want to become another one of those.
“He needs to go somewhere he’s going to play, and he knows he’s going to play at United.”
Rasmus Hojlund update emerges at Old Trafford
Man United’s interest in Delap comes amid concerns about Hojlund’s performance since Amorim arrived at the club earlier this season.
Brown told Football Insider on 17 April that Man United will accept offers for Hojlund and will be open to bids below their initial £50million asking price.
Juventus are among a number of Italian clubs plotting a surprise move to sign the forward and have been keeping a close eye on his performances since he left Serie A.
Amorim, meanwhile, does not consider the striker to be part of his long-term plans after Brown told Football Insider Hojlund has no future at Man United.
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