LIAM DELAP has expressed his preference to join Chelsea, informing a host of admirers that he is Stamford Bridge-bound.
Clubs including Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton and Nottingham Forest are now aware Delap will snub a move in favour of a Chelsea switch, according to The Athletic.
GettyLiam Delap has decided he wants to join Chelsea[/caption]
Delap, 22, is one of the most sought after talents in the Premier League after scoring 12 goals for Ipswich Town this season.
And his enticing £30million release clause has made him a target for top clubs across the league and Europe.
However, it now appears that the forward – who is the son of former Stoke City icon Rory Delap – has decided he wants to join Chelsea over the other clubs interested.
The Athletic report that European giants AC Milan and Juventus were included in his list of admirers.
It’s claimed that Delap will now join Chelsea if the Blues can meet the requirements of his release clause and come to an agreement with the England youth international over personal terms.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna revealed last week that Delap had been considering his options after the Tractor Boys’ relegation was confirmed.
He said: “Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he is entitled to do and we support him with that.
“I think we have given him permission to do that this week. It’s a very important decision for his future. Of course there is a lot of interest – and rightly so.
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“I think part of his week has been having some of those conversations.
“It looks more likely than not that he will move on this summer and he has interest from pretty much every club in the league, and I don’t think there are many clubs in the world who wouldn’t want to have him.
“Nothing is sorted, nothing is done or completed or even very, very, very close, so that process will take its course.”
If Chelsea are to complete the signing of Delap then it could end their interest in Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Blues had also been linked with RB Leipzig bagsman Benjamin Sesko.
That will be music to the ears of Mikel Arteta and Arsenal who are keen on bringing one of Sesko or Gyokeres to the Emirates this summer.
Delap’s decision to snub his other suitors will see them all have to move on to other targets.
For Man Utd, it could put more focus on the importance of completing their £62.5m move for Matheus Cunha – which is thought to be on the brink of being confirmed.
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