Chelsea ‘favourites’ to sign Premier League star despite Man Utd agreement -Reports

Chelsea ‘favourites’ to sign Premier League star despite Man Utd agreement -Reports

There is ‘growing noise’ that Chelsea have become favourites to sign Liam Delap despite his reported agreement with Manchester United.

The Ipswich striker has shined in the Premier League this season and is set to leave Portman Road after their relegation to the Championship.

Delap has a £30m release clause in his Ipswich contract and has attracted interest from a number of top-flight clubs in the summer transfer window.

It was believed that United had reached an agreement to sign Delap but there was always a risk that Chelsea could dramatically hijack the deal.

The Blues now appear to be leading the race for the 22-year-old with The Guardian reporting that noise is growing that Chelsea are now ‘favourites’.

Chelsea want to bring a new striker to west London to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson, with Christopher Nkunku rumoured for a summer exit

Former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard believes Delap would be a perfect fit for Chelsea.

Asked which club he would choose if he was in Delap’s shoes, Howard replied: ‘Honestly, I think Chelsea are desperate for a striker.

‘The Manchester United pull, I think for a player like him, it’s still there. Whether that feels different because he was a City player

‘I like the Chelsea profile, I like the young team. He goes into a young team and there’s goals there.’

Harry Redknapp has also tipped Delap for a move to west London this summer.

‘I’ve heard that Chelsea are quite hot on Liam Delap – I could see him going to Stamford Bridge this summer,’ Redknapp told BetVictor.

‘I would say Delap is an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson if Chelsea were to move for him. Jackson has shown flashes this season but hasn’t been at his best since coming back from injury