- Liam Delap has a £40 million release clause embedded in his Ipswich Town contract in case of relegation
- The 21-year-old forward has been pivotal to Ipswich’s impressive Premier League campaign
- Manchester United view Delap as an emerging talent who could boost depth behind Rasmus Højlund
Key Takeaways:
Red Devils Target Young Talent Amid Summer Rebuild Plans
Manchester United are weighing up a potential summer swoop for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with the highly-rated youngster’s £40 million release clause presenting an enticing opportunity in an increasingly inflated market for Premier League-proven forwards.
Delap, aged just 21, has quietly emerged as one of the Premier League’s breakout stars this season. The powerful centre-forward, previously on the books at Manchester City, has been a revelation at newly-promoted Ipswich Town – a club many tipped for immediate relegation, yet are currently outperforming expectations against elite opposition.
Sources close to Old Trafford suggest United’s recruitment team has been monitoring Delap for several weeks, impressed by his blend of physicality, acceleration and a clinical instinct in front of goal. With Ruben Amorim aiming to inject more youthful exuberance into the Red Devils’ forward line, Delap has quickly risen on their shortlist of attainable, high-upside prospects.
Delap’s Rise at Ipswich Proving Impossible to Ignore
Securing Delap’s services would not be straightforward for Ipswich, who have understandably grown increasingly keen to retain the striker’s services beyond this season. Nonetheless, the contractual reality – a £40 million release clause – means that any club willing to meet that figure could bypass negotiations entirely.
Delap has been instrumental in Ipswich’s resurgence. Since arriving at Portman Road on a permanent deal from Manchester City, the striker has shown a level of composure and maturity that belies his age. His ability to link play, press aggressively from the front, and capitalise on half-chances has drawn praise from pundits and analysts across the footballing spectrum.
Though official figures for the campaign are still subject to final updates, Delap’s attacking metrics place him among the top-performing under-23 forwards in England’s top flight — notably in expected goals (xG), shots per 90, and progressive runs. For a side still adjusting to life back in the Premier League, his contributions have given Ipswich not only hope of survival but genuine competitiveness.
United Eyeing Forward Reinforcements
As Manchester United prepare for a critical summer transfer window, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of Anthony Martial has accelerated their interest in securing a capable backup — or even strike partner — for Rasmus Højlund. Martial, whose contract expires this summer, has suffered a litany of injuries, rendering him a less reliable option.
Delap, although relatively untested at the very highest level, represents the type of dynamic, developmental signing the club favours under its evolving recruitment strategy. With the summer recruitment list now taking shape, Delap is reportedly under strong consideration as a cost-effective option given the value represented by his buyout clause.
Indeed, young British attacking talent with Premier League exposure is increasingly rare and frequently overpriced. In this context, Delap’s clause offers certainty and market value — particularly when juxtaposed with other transfer targets who may command larger fees or carry more risk due to limited adaptation to English football.
Situational Analysis and Market Implications
While United’s final summer business will depend on several factors – including outgoing transfers, budgetary constraints, and evolving squad needs – their interest in Delap signals a commitment to identify value in less-obvious places. Whether Ipswich can stave off interest remains to be seen, but should Delap maintain or improve his current trajectory, more suitors are almost certain to emerge.
With the Premier League becoming increasingly congested in the middle and lower tiers, clubs like Ipswich face mounting pressure to retain talent while also remaining financially sustainable. Delap’s release clause ensures they have little negotiating leverage should a top-six club pursue him aggressively.
Conclusion
With Manchester United seeking to refresh their squad and bolster attacking options, Liam Delap represents an intriguing and attainable choice. His strong performances at Ipswich suggest he has the tools to succeed at a higher level, and his release clause signals a rare case of affordability with upside in a hyper-competitive transfer market.
Whether he ends up at Old Trafford or stays on at Portman Road, Delap is undeniably one of English football’s rising stars — and clubs across the Premier League would do well to take note.