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Manchester United were “confident” they would win the race to sign Liam Delap after holding “face-to-face talks” with the Ipswich Town striker, according to a report.
The Red Devils identified Delap, 22, as their first-choice option for the number nine position this summer.
The England U-21 international enjoyed a breakout campaign in his first season in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists for Ipswich, despite the Tractor Boys being destined for relegation before a ball was kicked.
Delap’s contract at Portman Road contained a £30 million relegation clause which was triggered in April after it was confirmed Kieran McKenna’s side would be returning to the Championship.
But this put a host of sides across England, and in Europe, on red-alert over a bargain price for a young striker with an excellent selection of physical and technical attributes, with obvious scope for further improvement.
With United’s budget set to be limited this summer by the absence of European football at Old Trafford next season, a £30 million move to upgrade Ruben Amorim’s frontline became a priority for the club’s hierarchy.
But the Reds were joined by Chelsea, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Everton, among others, in the race to secure Delap’s signature.
The 22-year-old striker held talks with each of his prospective suitors. He meeting with United chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox for “face-to-face talks” over joining the Reds, according to The Athletic.
The report reveals the two senior figures left the meeting “confident” Delap would choose Old Trafford over other options, enabling the bulk of the summer budget to be directed towards other, more expensive targets.
However, in an explosive twist, Delap rejected United’s advances in favour of Chelsea with the prospect of Champions League football and a reunion with Enzo Maresca (the striker’s former coach in the Manchester City academy) at Stamford Bridge sealing the deal for the Blues.
The Athletic describes this as a “body blow” for United’s hierarchy after significant efforts were made to convince Delap his future should lie in a Red shirt.
And with the number of options available up front this summer rapidly dwindling with the remaining targets all costing in excess of £60 million, the £30 million capture of Delap may prove an opportunity squandered which United live to regret.
Featured image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
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