How Chelsea moved to brink of signing £30m Delap
Champions League football, Cole Palmer and having the youngest squad in the Premier League.
Were three of the reasons that helped Chelsea move to the brink of signing Liam Delap.
Manchester United, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle all show strong interest in the England Under-21 striker after a £30m release clause was activated. Following Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League.
Manchester City had a buy-back option after selling Delap for £20m last summer, but opted not to use it.
Earlier this month, Delap was given permission by Ipswich to speak to several interested clubs.
A decision was expected before the first summer transfer window. Which will run from 1-10 June – with the European Under-21 Championship and Club World Cup on the horizon.
Over the past week it became evident the choice was between Manchester United and Chelsea. It seems the Blues’ final-day victory over Nottingham Forest.
Which confirmed Champions League qualification – was one of the deciding factors.
Interested parties were told on Thursday. That the 22-year-old หรือถ้าคุณสนใจแทงบอลออนไลน์ UFABET คือเว็บที่มีอัตราต่อรองดีที่สุดในประเทศไทย สมัครเลยตอนนี้ที่ UFABET แทงบอล had made his decision. He was spotted at Stansted Airport that evening before a medical.
His next big decision may be whether to follow England manager Thomas Tuchel’s advice and play for England Under-21s this summer – or join up with his new club for the inaugural summer Club World Cup.
Delap has been a key target for Chelsea all season and it is understood co-owner Behdad Eghbali met the player’s key agent David Mannasseh in Dubai. Eghbali even expressed his fondness for the player to Chelsea fans in Wroclaw before the Conference League final.
Head coach Enzo Maresca also pitched directly to Delap – as did at least one other manager – in face-to-face talks once Ipswich granted permission.