Chelsea imminent transfer decision could give Liam Delap perfect £30m welcome gift

Chelsea are seemingly closing in on a transfer for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap with the Blues moving ahead of the competition for the forward.

, Delap has given the green light over a move to Stamford Bridge. The striker has held talks with various clubs over the last few days as he sorts out his future.

Chelsea have reportedly beaten off interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton, among others. A reunion with former Man City U23 boss also appeals to Delap.

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The 22-year-old impressed in his first full season in the , despite Ipswich’s 19th place finish and relegation back to the Championship. He scored 12 times in 37 league appearances for the Tractor Boys.

Ipswich’s relegation has activated a £30 million release clause in his contract which Chelsea are now expected to trigger. Personal terms will then be sorted between the player and the club.

If he does complete a move to , Chelsea could potentially give Delap the perfect welcome gift, but it would depend on another transfer decision.

This season, Delap has worn squad number 19 for Ipswich. That number is currently taken up at Chelsea by loanee .

The winger is currently on loan from Manchester United, and although Chelsea do have an obligation to make the move permanent, thee is uncertainty over if they will take it. If they decide against triggering the option, they will pay a penalty fee to United and then send Sancho back to Old Trafford.

If that’s the case, it will free up the number 19 shirt for Delap to take for the new season. If Chelsea decide to use the obligation, then either Sancho or Delap will have to settle for a new shirt number.

Speaking after the UEFA conference League final, in which Sancho scored Chelsea’s third goal, Maresca gave the latest on a potential permanent move for the United man.

“We are going to sit with the club and decide what happens for next year,” he revealed.

He then added on Sancho’s form: “It is normal in a season to go a little bit up and down, it is part of the game.”