Delap eyes European football & starting role as Chelsea, Man Utd circle

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is set to be the subject of a transfer tussle this summer. He reportedly has an affordable £40 million release clause, which drops to a bargain £30 million if the Tractor Boys get relegated to the Championship.

According to The Telegraph, Delap will choose a club where he can be the first-choice striker. He is not keen on playing second fiddle as it would hamper his development. He also wants a club in Europe next season.

Chelsea and Manchester United are the two clubs most interested in his services. The 23-year-old took the Premier League by storm this season, bagging 12 goals and two assists in 30 appearances.

Chelsea want competition for Nicolas Jackson, who continues to be profligate in front of goal (17 big chances missed and a measly nine goals by April is not ideal).

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca worked with Delap in the Manchester City youth system, and current Blues scouting chief Joe Shields brought him to City. Unsurprisingly, they are interested in the Englishman.

However, they are not alone in the race for his signature. Man Utd want to refresh their attack after watching Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund underwhelm up top. They need a lethal striker to fire them back into the upper echelon, and Delap currently tops their list of targets.

It is currently unclear where Delap will be plying his trade next season, but he is keen on being the first-choice centre-forward anywhere he goes.

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The Winchester-born striker will back himself to upset the status quo at Chelsea and Man Utd, but European football is also a deciding factor for the former Man City starlet.

Chelsea sit in fourth place on the league table and look on course to qualify for a place in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League at worst, while Man Utd languish in the bottom half. They must win the Europa League if they want a slot in Europe next season.

With both clubs circling and the summer window fast approaching, Delap holds the cards in what could be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the off-season. His preference for regular minutes and European football will be key in shaping his decision.