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Some staff at Man United have real doubts over signing £30m ‘top striker’ this summer, it would be a ‘massive risk’
TBR Football understands that while Manchester United have made contact over a deal for Liam Delap, there are some doubts at Old Trafford as to whether he would be the right fit.
Last week, it became known that Liam Delap has a £30 million release clause in his contract at Ipswich Town, should they get relegated to the Championship.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  TottenhamTottenham | 32 | 11 | 4 | 17 | 60 | 49 | 11 | 37 |
| 16 |  WolvesWolves | 32 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 47 | 61 | -14 | 35 |
| 17 |  West HamWest Ham | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 54 | -18 | 35 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 32 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 33 | 67 | -34 | 21 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester | 32 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 27 | 72 | -45 | 18 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 32 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 23 | 77 | -54 | 10 |
The Tractor Boys currently find themselves 14 points adrift of safety meaning that the 22-year-old is almost certainly expected to leave in the summer.
The race for Delap, who has been labelled as a ‘real top striker’, is starting to heat up with United, Chelsea and Newcastle all in the picture.
Manchester United have concerns about Liam Delap
Manchester United have concerns about signing Liam Delap as it would mean taking another punt on a young striker, sources have told Graeme Bailey – chief correspondent at TBR Football.
The Red Devils haven’t had much luck over recent times when it comes to signing up-and-coming forwards, given Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s time at the club.
United have made contact with Delap about moving to the Theatre of Dreams, although some people within the club are unsure he would be the right fit.
Bailey told TBR Football: “We know that (Manchester) United have had contact. There are some doubting voices at United as to whether they should be going for another young striker.
“There’s no doubting his ability, but we’ve seen the situations of Hojlund and Zirkzee. Would they sign another young striker? That’s a massive risk for United.”
Why Chelsea believe they can win the race to sign Liam Delap
Chelsea are currently leading the race to sign Delap and the Blues believe the lure of being the first-choice number nine will help them to land him.
Delap has already worked with Enzo Maresca and during their time together at Man City’s academy, the striker netted 27 goals in 22 matches.
“At Newcastle, if Isak is still there, he will be the number two, but at Chelsea, there is that belief he can start. I think he would go into Chelsea believing he is the best striker at the club. He can believe that all he wants at Newcastle, but he’s not going to be their number one,” added Bailey.
“If he went to Chelsea and was ahead of Jackson, I don’t think that would raise too many eyebrows. I think that’s a big selling point for Chelsea, they think they can offer him that chance to earn the number nine jersey and prove he’s the best. From my information, Chelsea are favourites.”
Meanwhile, TBR Football understands that interest from the Bundesliga should not be discounted, with several German clubs keen.