Chelsea are on the verge of finalising a £30 million deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, beating Manchester United to his signature. The 22-year-old has opted for a move to Stamford Bridge, with Champions League football next season proving a major factor in his decision.
According to The i Paper, Delap had interest from multiple Premier League clubs — including United, Newcastle, and Everton — but was most drawn to Chelsea’s offer due to European competition and the clearer path to regular playing time. Chelsea’s only senior central striker is Nicolas Jackson, whose performances have divided opinion, making the prospect of immediate starts more realistic for Delap.
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While Newcastle could also offer top-tier European football, sources suggest Delap viewed the task of unseating Alexander Isak as a more difficult challenge.
United, meanwhile, had been hopeful Delap would look past the club’s underwhelming season and consider the opportunity to play a major role either alongside or as an alternative to Rasmus Højlund. But with Delap’s mind seemingly made up, Chelsea are now expected to trigger the £30m release clause — activated by Ipswich’s relegation — in the coming days and proceed to finalize personal terms.
Sancho Decision Also Incoming
Chelsea are also set to make a final call on the future of Jadon Sancho, who joined the club on loan from Manchester United. Originally, Chelsea were considering activating a £25 million option to buy, but doubts over the winger’s form led to internal debate.
As The i Paper reported in March, Chelsea even considered scrapping the deal altogether, which would involve paying a £5 million compensation fee to United. However, Sancho’s recent performances — particularly his display in the Europa Conference League final win over Real Betis — have impressed head coach Enzo Maresca.
A source close to the situation now suggests the club may be leaning toward keeping the England international, with the £25m fee seen as a calculated gamble given Sancho’s talent and potential to improve under Maresca’s system.
Chelsea hope to wrap up both decisions soon, with the club keen to shift focus to other key areas in need of reinforcement ahead of the new season.
