Liam Delap to Manchester United transfer latest with 'advantage' set after chairman's statement

Latest Manchester United transfer news with a fresh claim made towards the signing of Liam Delap from Ispwich Town

A fresh, major claim has been made towards the future of Manchester United-linked striker Liam Delap as the Ipswich Town goalscorer appears set to be at the heart of a summer transfer battle.

Premier League clubs are reportedly set to mobilise in hunt of Delap, 22, this summer after he has proven his quality at English top-flight level with Ipswich. His 11 goals in 29 appearances have made him a standout performer, plus at such a young age and being an Englishman, his value would be great to whoever wins his signature.

In Man United's case, manager Ruben Amorim looks to be in need of inspiration up front as inherited options Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee - signed for a combined £108.5m in recent years - have only managed to find the net three times each in the league this term.

MEN Sport rounds up recent key headlines on the subject matter of Delap and his possible summer transfer.

Delap 'advantage'

According to Ben Jacobs, the Ipswich talisman is 'high in the thinking' of Man United decision makers. This is allegedly the same at Chelsea with the situation very much all to play for at present.

However, the reporter makes an admission that if true, puts Amorim and Co. on the back foot. The advantage in this race is likely to fall to whoever can offer Delap European football next campaign.

Sitting 13th in the Premier League table, it is going to be an uphill struggle for Man United to qualify for UEFA competition ahead of Chelsea for example, who are well-placed to make the Champions League.

Entering through the back door by winning the Europa League is going to be the best opportunity.

Release clause explained

Delap reportedly has a release clause from Portman Road, but with specific conditions set around this.

GIVEMESPORT explains that the £40m fee only becomes active if Ipswich are relegated back down to the Championship this season. Whilst still mathematically possible they stay up, the 18th-placed side sit nine points behind 17th-placed Wolves so have a mountain to climb.

Regardless of the season's outcome, that release clause would supposedly be used as a yard stick for his valuation.

Chairman's warning

Another great piece of speculation over Delap's future is how Manchester City factor into the equation. He left his boyhood club permanently last summer for £20m, with reports of Pep Guardiola and Co. being able to re-sign the 22-year-old ahead of rivals.

Last week Ipswich's chairman Mark Ashton told The East Anglian Times: "What I would say is that what's been reported is never quite fact.

"It would be remiss of me to speak about any individual player, you know I'm going to say that. What I can say is that in January there were was interest in a number of our players from a number of Premier League clubs. But ownership were great. It was ‘you don't have to sell’.

"So look, we're not an easy club to buy from, because we have such strong ownership. Obviously there is always natural point in time when a player has to move.

"That's the cycle of life, it's the cycle of football. But we are very, very, very well protected with all of that."