Manchester City monitoring potential signing of Ipswich Town forward | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly monitoring the development of Liam Delap at Ipswich Town ahead of a possible return for the striker.

The 21-year-old has been in remarkable form for Kieran McKenna’s side since joining the Premier League newcomers at the start of the season, inspiring intensity in a forward line that is starting to reap rewards this campaign.

Across Delap’s seven Premier League matches, the Manchester City academy graduate has provided a total of five goals and an assist, and came very close to adding to that tally in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last time out.

It is those growing performances and improving standards across his game that is starting to grab the attention of some of Europe’s premier clubs, including his former employers at Manchester City – who have an involvement in the player’s future despite the sale.

As is usually the case with Manchester City and their sales of the best young talents within the club, those negotiating deals often include a number of clauses that ensure the Premier League champions remain involved financially in the players’ futures.

Now, according to the information of Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, City are currently keeping tabs on Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap after his exit from the Etihad Stadium during the last summer market.

As part of that agreement, it is detailed that the Premier League champions inserted a buy-back clause in the deal with Ipswich, whilst also retaining a sell-on clause meaning they can financially benefit from the striker’s next move from the Tractor Boys.

The report claims that those within Manchester City will weigh up the merits of bringing the England youth international back to the Etihad Stadium when the clause becomes active next summer.

Unfortunately for Delap, it would be widely expected that the striker would have to settle for somewhat of a back-up role at Manchester City, should he agree to a sensational return to the club in the future, given the presence of Erling Haaland.

Barring a drastic change of system from Pep Guardiola, Manchester City are likely to remain in favour of a single-striker formation. However, Delap has been seen to operate in wider roles or just off from a solo striker.

With that being said, Manchester City’s transfer priorities are likely to lie elsewhere in the coming markets, with shortcomings having been highlighted on various occasions in the defensive midfield position in particular.