Liam Delap to Chelsea transfer timeline revealed as big Man Utd blow emerges amid £30m talks

Chelsea are reportedly closing in on signing Liam Delap after positive talks ahead of the summer transfer window opening on Sunday.

Delap, 22, can leave Ipswich Town for £30million due to a relegation release clause in the contract signed when joining the newly promoted Premier League club from Manchester City. football.london understands the Blues have considered the player among several striker options for this summer as they look to add competition and support for Nicolas Jackson.

As previously reported, nothing is at an advanced stage with those under consideration. Chelsea, however, want to get business done as soon as possible.

So, too, reportedly, does Delap. The Times claims he wants his future decided before the European Under-21 Championship.

Lee Carsley named the forward in a pre-tournament training squad last Friday, with their camp at St. George’s Park due to start this week. Next Friday, they will cut that to 23 players, with the competition beginning on June 11, England’s first game being the day after against the Czech Republic.

Delap wants a resolution before heading to Slovenia for the championship. The Times claims the expectation at Manchester United, who they say are one of the two likeliest teams to sign the striker alongside Chelsea, is they will find out whether their attempts to sign Delap are successful next week.

talkSPORT, though, claims the Blues have already won that battle. The west London club are said to be confident Delap, who is said to have “given the green light” to a move, will sign.

Champions League football is called a “trump card” Chelsea have over Man United, who missed out on qualification after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. Before that, Delap was purportedly leaning towards choosing United, but that preference has seemingly changed after the Blues finished fourth in the Premier League table.