Manchester United have supposedly earmarked Ipswich Town hotshot Liam Delap as their top striker target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Red Devils' lack of attacking bite was on full display once again in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Manchester City, a result which means that they are guaranteed to finish the 2024-25 season with their lowest-ever Premier League points total.
The absence of a ruthless centre-forward has stuck out like a sore thumb all season long for the Red Devils, as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed just three goals apiece in the current Premier League campaign.
Regardless of both players' futures, Ruben Amorim is expected to push for a big-money centre-forward to arrive this summer, and a surfeit of potential options have been mentioned in recent months.
Now, the Daily Mail reports that Ipswich's Delap is their number one pick, as their Premier League rivals are now on the cusp of an immediate relegation back down to the Championship.
Man United 'willing to trigger £40m Delap clause'
© Imago
The former Manchester City forward struck his 12th goal of the Premier League season against Wolverhampton Wanderers over the weekend, but his efforts were futile as Kieran McKenna's side lost 2-1.
Ipswich are therefore 12 points adrift of safety with just seven games left to play, meaning that their demotion to the Championship could be confirmed within just two more gameweeks.
McKenna's men will likely be fighting a losing battle to retain Delap's services should they go down, and the report adds that Man United are willing to trigger the £40m release clause in his Portman Road contract.
While Man City have the option to re-sign Delap for around £20m this summer thanks to a buyback option, the report adds that the Premier League champions are not expected to take up that option.
Pep Guardiola already has Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush at his disposal, meaning that the 22-year-old Delap would not enjoy the regular first-team football that he desires at the Etihad.
However, City would still stand to profit if their former protege moved to their biggest rivals, as they would apparently be due a payment of around £8m thanks to a 20% sell-on clause.
Man United would also have to fend off competition from Chelsea, Newcastle United and Liverpool to win the race for Delap, who is said to have caught the eye of several European teams too.
Delap leapfrogs European hotshots in Man Utd shortlist
© Imago
The Red Devils stepping up their interest in Delap comes after another one of their targets - Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres - supposedly said yes to a different Premier League side.
The England Under-21 international is also believed to have moved above Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike on Man United's attacking shortlist, and he would likely prove to be a cheaper option than both of those alternatives.
Even though the Red Devils would have to pay arch-rivals City a nominal amount, Delap has the potential to repay that £8m and much more.
Ben Knapton
