Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Liam Delap on a six-year deal from Ipswich Town after the Blues activated the £30million release clause in his contract at Portman Road.
Late on Wednesday evening, Chelsea confirmed the deal for Delap to play his football at Stamford Bridge had gone through. “I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach,” the new Blues striker, who will wear the No.9 shirt, said upon his arrival.
“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve things here and help the club win more trophies. I wanted to come here to win trophies.
“When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that. The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective.”
The Blues wanted their man before the FIFA Club World Cup begins later this month – and they have got him. Now, the club’s attention will turn elsewhere with only five days remaining of this ‘mini’ transfer window before it closes for a week and then reopens.
Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan over the signing of goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Earlier in the week, the Blues approached the Rossoneri over the possible purchase of the 29-year-old, who has just over 12 months left to run on his contract at the San Siro. However, there were some problems that emerged later down the line.
football.london understands Milan quoted Chelsea £25million for Maignan’s services – a figure the Blues deem too high for someone of the Frenchman’s age and contract status. Chelsea have their reservations over paying such money for Maignan, but talks are continuing, with the Blues feeling the possibility of signing someone of the France international’s calibre as a really strong opportunity.
Elsewhere, talks with Borussia Dortmund continue over the signing of Jamie Gittens. As reported last week, Chelsea have carried over their interest in the 20-year-old from the January transfer window and now want to sign him as they search for more depth on the left wing.
As it stands, Tyrique George is Chelsea’s only natural option on the left-hand side. Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto can both play there, of course, but their best positions are seen on the opposite flank. Jadon Sancho has departed the club after the two parties could not agree on personal terms when discussing making his contract permanent, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended from football after failing a drugs test in December – Cole Palmer taking his No.10 shirt only further clouds his future.
There are set to be a number of outgoings from Stamford Bridge over the course of the summer transfer window and one man that looks like he is set to leave on loan is Marc Guiu. During negotiations for Delap, Ipswich made it clear to Chelsea that they would like to take the Spanish striker on a season-long loan now they are back in the Championship.
With the Blues now having Nicolas Jackson, Delap and whoever else comes in between now and the end of the window, Guiu’s minutes under Enzo Maresca will be limited next season. Chelsea are willing to allow Guiu to depart on loan, football.london understands, with the Tractor Boys in pole position for his signature.
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