Manchester United get Liam Delap transfer update as new club could force three-way deal

Juventus have joined the race to sign Ipswich striker Liam Delap, with Manchester United Chelsea and Arsenal also circling..

Italian giants Juventus have joined the long list of clubs interested in signing Ipswich Town’s star striker Liam Delap.

The 22-year-old forward has been high on Manchester United’s transfer list as Ruben Amorim looks keen to sign a proven top-tier forward. The club’s interest has been made clear following a poor season up front, having scored the sixth-fewest goals across all clubs this season.

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In an Ipswich side who have struggled in their first Premier League season since 2002, Delap has been a shining light. The Englishman has scored 12 goals this campaign which is more than any Man United player.

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It is therefore no surprise Delap features on Amorim’s shortlist of top strikers. However, they’ll need to fend off interest from fellow English clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal. But now, Juventus have reportedly been examining the possibility of signing Delap.

According to Italian media outlet TuttoSport, the Serie A side have brought the young striker into their plans to bolster their attack over the summer in preparation for a fresh title charge next season.

Delap is free to leave Ipswich this summer for £30m after a relegation release clause was revealed to be in his contract. If Man United were to splash the cash, 20% of the value would go to their local rivals Manchester City via a sell-on clause.

The last two strikers United bought, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, cost them around £92.5m together. Combined, they have scored half as many Premier League goals as Delap this season.

However, with Hojlund having previously proven his worth in Serie A with Atalanta, Juventus are also reported to have the Danish striker on their list too. Preliminary talks are said to have been held between the two parties, but if the Italian side are to go with Hojlund, they would likely drop out the race for Delap’s signature, opening the doors for Amorim’s team to push for the Englishman.

Despite United’s interest, the 22-year-old is said to be having second thoughts regarding a move to Manchester. Unless Amorim’s squad can secure victory in the Europa League, they won’t be involved in any European competition next season. With Delap eager to push for a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, he wants to play at the highest level.

Juventus currently sit in a Champions League spot, however the fight for a European place is just as close in Italy as it is in the Premier League. They have only lost three times in the league but haven’t been able to put up a proper title fight against high-flying Inter Milan and Napoli.