Man Utd news: Red Devils chasing former Man City striker Liam Delap
Manchester United are interested in a move for 22-year-old striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, who would cost around £40million, according to iPaper.
The England U21 international made his professional debut for local rivals Manchester City in 2020 after arriving from Derby County in 2019.
He has since had three loans at Championship level with Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City before joining Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich side for a deal worth up to £20million.
Delap has gathered a lot of interest after his form for the Tractor Boys this season, scoring 10 goals in 26 appearances.
Could Delap be Manchester United’s striker solution?
Despite spending £72million on Rasmus Hojlund and £37million on Joshua Zirkzee in previous summer windows, the Red Devils are still looking to bring in a top-class centre-forward to their frontline.
Delap has shown in his full debut campaign in the top flight that he possesses the technical and physical attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League.
No player in the league under the age of 21 has scored more goals than he has.
Delap’s age profile and rumoured fee represent the future model of signings that Manchester United are aiming for – younger players with a very high ceiling that will not come at an extortionate price like in previous years.
This is also necessary to work within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules, something which is of concern to the Red Devils after multiple windows of major spending.
Will Manchester United need to make sales to keep signing players?
It was reported in January by David Ornstein that Manchester United would ‘reluctantly consider’ sales of homegrown talent, such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
If Manchester United were to push ahead with the signing of Delap or spend a more premium fee on Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, who has also been of interest, they would take up a considerable amount of headroom regarding PSR, which is why big sales may have to be made.
The Red Devils may be able to recoup money this summer with buy options included in current loanees such as Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho – which could total an incoming of £70million if all players were to be sold permanently.
Follow all the latest news, betting tips, rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
