Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap, moving ahead of rivals Chelsea in the transfer battle, according to transfer expert Mike Brown.
Delap, 22, joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer and has impressed in his first Premier League campaign, netting 12 goals and providing two assists.
Despite his efforts, Ipswich remain on the brink of relegation — needing West Ham to drop points in their final games to have any chance of survival.
Football Insider reports that several top-flight clubs, including United, Chelsea, and Newcastle United, have shown interest in Delap.
However, the forward is believed to favour a move to Old Trafford, where he would have a clearer path to regular first-team football. Chelsea and Newcastle, in contrast, already boast greater depth in attacking options, which could limit his playing time.
Brown notes that United’s current striker situation could make them a more attractive destination, with Rúben Amorim reportedly keen to secure a new No.9 after Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled to find consistent scoring form.
At Chelsea, Nicolas Jackson is first-choice up front, with Christopher Nkunku occasionally filling in but not a natural centre-forward — suggesting Enzo Maresca is also eyeing reinforcements.
Delap’s contract reportedly includes a £30m release clause if Ipswich are relegated, making him an affordable option for clubs seeking a young, long-term attacking solution.
For United, his pace, physicality, and work rate could provide exactly the boost needed in their forward line.