Chelsea and Liverpool Target £40m Ipswich Striker as Transfer Race Heats Up | OneFootball

Liverpool and Chelsea Make Moves for Ipswich Striker Liam Delap

With Ipswich Town’s Premier League future hanging by a thread, attention has swiftly turned to their standout performer: Liam Delap. The 22-year-old striker, who has netted 12 league goals in a struggling side, is now the subject of mounting interest from several Premier League giants. According to TEAMtalk, “Delap is set to leave Ipswich this summer if they are relegated and sources have revealed to TEAMtalk that Liverpool and Chelsea have made new approaches for him in recent days.”

Rising Profile Amid Relegation Threat

Delap’s personal progress has been a rare bright spot in a turbulent campaign for Ipswich. With just seven matches remaining and a daunting 12-point gap to safety, the Tractor Boys are almost certainly destined for a return to the Championship. That scenario is likely to trigger Delap’s departure, and Premier League suitors are already jockeying for position.

Liverpool’s interest stems from uncertainty surrounding Darwin Núñez’s future. The Reds, despite being in the title conversation, are lacking a consistent focal point in attack. Chelsea, meanwhile, see Delap as a more Premier League-ready option than RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who TEAMtalk reports “they don’t think is ready for the Premier League.”

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Transfer Tug-of-War Among Rivals

Manchester United have also entered the fray, reportedly making “serious moves” for Delap. Despite their underwhelming league form and the risk of missing out on European football, sources suggest the player is still intrigued by the Old Trafford project. “Sources have stated that a move to Man Utd is something that interests Delap and that has forced his other suitors to make concrete moves in recent days.”

What’s clear is that any deal will require swift, decisive action. Delap’s contract includes a 20% sell-on clause for former club Manchester City, which could inflate his valuation, but at £40m, many clubs view him as excellent value for money.

Wider Premier League Interest Growing

Beyond the traditional top six, Everton, Brighton and Newcastle have also registered interest in the England youth international. Delap’s mix of physicality, movement, and goal threat has made him an appealing option across a variety of tactical systems. What could ultimately tip the scales is which club can offer him regular playing time and a clear developmental path.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea reportedly view him as a player for the present and the future—a rare blend that makes this particular transfer battle one to watch.

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Future Hinges on Opportunity

Delap is no longer a project. His performances this season have shown a striker capable of troubling top-flight defences despite limited service. With the right coaching, and in a system built to his strengths, he could prove a bargain at £40m.

Whether it’s Chelsea, Liverpool, or another Premier League contender that wins the race, the battle for his signature will be less about money and more about vision—who can convince him of their project, and who can guarantee minutes.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This transfer link makes a lot of sense for Liverpool or Chelsea. Both clubs are in need of fresh energy up front—Liverpool’s situation with Núñez feels increasingly uncertain, while Chelsea are still waiting for Nicolas Jackson to fully settle. Delap may not yet be the finished product, but he’s clearly Premier League-ready and wouldn’t come with the inflated price tag often seen in today’s market.

For Liverpool, Delap’s profile suits Arne Slot’s high-intensity game: strong on the ball, willing to press, and capable of holding his own against aggressive defences. For Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca likely to favour control and tempo, Delap’s movement and timing could be a perfect fit—offering an option that Sesko perhaps wouldn’t provide immediately.

But both clubs would need to convince him he won’t just be a rotation piece. The risk, as ever, lies in overpromising and underdelivering. Whichever club wins out, Delap will expect to play—regularly, meaningfully, and centrally. That may be the ultimate test of each project’s credibility.