Neil Warnock confirms Middlesbrough’s interest in Manchester City player | OneFootball

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has confirmed that Manchester City striker Liam Delap has been amongst Boro’s transfer targets this summer but he admitted a loan deal for him is looking unlikely.

Delap has been a player in high demand this summer with Manchester City reportedly willing to allow him to leave on loan to get some valuable first-team game time under his belt next season.

It has previously been reported that the likes of Millwall, Derby County, Cardiff City and West Brom have all been interested in taking the forward on a temporary basis from Manchester City this summer.

While Football League World believes that Stoke City are leading the race for the attacker’s signature and that at this stage they are looking the most likely of destinations for the Manchester City forward this summer.

Middlesbrough remain in the market to add to their attacking options before the transfer window closes with them having already added Uche Ikpeazu to their squad from Wycombe Wanderers.

Quiz: What was the score the last time Middlesbrough played at each of these 24 stadiums?

1 of 24

Kenilworth Road

0-0

1-1

2-2

3-3

Speaking to the Hartlepool Mail, Warnock outlined that Delap has been a player that Boro are keen on this summer but that he has had a lot of interest from elsewhere and a move to the Riverside is unlikely at this stage.

He said: “He’s still available.

“Everybody is chasing the lad. I’m not sure if we’re anywhere near the top of that chase pack but there are four or five clubs so his agent says so I’m not optimistic on that really.”

The verdict

This is a frustrating update from Warnock and suggests that while they have been hoping that they could win the race for Delap this summer, they are likely to be frustrated and have to move onto other targets in that area of the field.

That is a shame because the striker could have been exactly the right profile of player for them to have brought into the club during the transfer window.

It seems as though Delap is set for a loan move somewhere in the Championship next season, although it remains to be seen where his destination will be.

You can see him proving to be an astute signing for any side in the English second tier this summer and he looks ready to make a potentially major impression as he seeks to impress Manchester City.

He could add some much-needed extra goals to Middlesbrough’s attack and his stature means that he would have been well-suited to the way that Warnock wants his side to play.

Therefore, Boro should not completely give up hope on this potential deal and should go all-out to try and tempt Manchester City into agreeing a loan deal with them.