Manchester United have apparently suffered a setback in their efforts to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who favours a move to one of two Premier League rivals instead.
The former Manchester City man is expected to be available for a relatively modest fee this summer, as Kieran McKenna's men are on the brink of being sent straight back down to the Championship.
Ipswich are 14 points adrift of safety in the Premier League table with just six games left to play, meaning that their demotion could be confirmed if they suffer defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Even though Delap's Ipswich deal runs until the summer of 2029, the Tractor Boys would be fighting a losing battle to keep him if they were to go down, as the 22-year-old has demonstrated his top-flight quality this season.
Delap boasts 12 goals and two assists in 31 Premier League appearances for his struggling side in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and it would not be a shock to see a Big Six move materialise this summer.
Delap 'prefers two clubs' over Man United
© Imago
Man United and Chelsea have been tipped as two of the main contenders for Delap's signature, but according to the Daily Star, the 22-year-old would have reservations about joining the Red Devils.
Ruben Amorim's men will not qualify for Europe next season unless they win the Europa League, but Chelsea are better placed to nab a spot on the continent as they occupy sixth place in the Premier League rankings.
As a result, Delap would apparently favour a switch to Stamford Bridge given Chelsea are likelier to be playing in Europe, and the ex-Man City forward would also welcome a transfer to Champions League contenders Arsenal.
The 2003-born striker would be available for just £30m thanks to a release clause in his Portman Road contract, and as he has aspirations to make England's 2026 World Cup squad, he is desperate to secure a move to a team challenging for European honours.
Arsenal and Chelsea are known to be on the lookout for new number nines in the summer window, and the Blues have been credited with a strong interest in Delap's signature for some time now.
On the other hand, Arsenal's name has not often been mentioned, although they have been urged to consider a move for the Ipswich striker by one of their former Premier League winners.
Who could Man United target instead of Delap?
© Imago
Delap for £30m would have been gold dust for Amorim, who has allegedly been told by Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the club simply cannot afford to be forking out £80m for his top target, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres.
Ratcliffe's stance on Gyokeres also makes a move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko or Napoli's Victor Osimhen unlikely, and Man United have reportedly been put off by the latter's wages too.
If Man United are really not in a position to spend more than £50m on a new centre-forward, Jonathan David on a free might have to be the way to go, but the Lille man will not be short of suitors and could command a hefty signing-on fee too.
For now, Amorim will have to cope with the misfiring Rasmus Hojlund and the young Chido Obi at the tip of his attack, as Joshua Zirkzee has been ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.
Ben Knapton
