Keiran McKenna confirms Man United target Liam Delap has permission to begin negotiations with interested clubs | OneFootball

Ipswich Town manager Keiran McKenna has confirmed Liam Delap has begun negotiations with interested clubs after the 22-year-old forward was given permission to meet with Manchester United this week.

Delap has emerged as United’s “first-choice” option for a new striker this summer after pursuits of other strikers, such as Victor Osimhen, proved too costly.

The England Under-21 star has scored 12 goals for the Tractor Boys in the Premier League despite his side being destined for relegation before a ball was kicked this season.

Delap has also demonstrated a well-rounded skillset in the mould of an old-school number nine, offering a constant threat to opposition defences in a way which stands him in direct contrast to United’s current number nine – Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund and fellow striker Joshua Zirkzee have combined for just seven goals for the Red Devils in the league this season by comparison.

Delap’s contract at Portman Road contains a £30 million relegation clause which was triggered following Ipswich’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United at the end of April.

This price has sparked widespread interest in the 22-year-old striker with United joined by Premier League rivals Chelsea and Newcastle in the hunt for his signature this summer.

As relayed by The Peoples Person, Delap held “face-to-face talks” with Old Trafford executives this week. He is expected to speak to representatives from other suitors before reaching a final decision on his next club.

Speaking ahead of Ipswich’s final game of the season, McKenna confirmed Delap received permission from the club to enter these negotiations, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the striker has also spoken to Chelsea.

Tweet: “Ipswich manager McKenna confirms Liam Delap is expected to leave: “Yes, he’s looking at his options for next year. We support him with that”. Delap has already met with Chelsea and Man United as he’s in the list of several clubs this summer.”

The East Anglian Daily Times reports “Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that talismanic striker Liam Delap was given permission to hold talks with Manchester United this week.”

The Northern Irish manager, formerly a coach at Old Trafford himself, stated, “Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he’s entitled to do, and we support him with that. So, yes, we’ve given him the permission to do that this week. It’s a very important decision for his future. Of course, there’s a lot of interest and rightly so. So that’s been part of his week, he’s been having some of those conversations.”

“If he stays with us, we’ll be delighted. If he does move on this summer, then it will be a positive sign for the club, a positive step for the club, to have developed and sold a player at that sort of level. Hopefully it will be a good move for him.”

The Ipswich manager was then asked how far he felt Delap’s potential could take the young striker.

“He’s got great potential. It’s clear for everyone to see, I think, what he’s done this season for a newly promoted team that’s found it really difficult. Not just in his goals, but in some of his performances where he’s been almost impossible for the opposition to handle,” McKenna responded.

“I’ve said many times, he’s still young. He still has room to grow, to be more consistent, to round off his game. But in terms of attributes, I think he’s as good as what there is out there anywhere in the world.”

Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

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