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Published February 13, 2025 5:28pm Updated February 13, 2025 5:29pm
Manchester United could to target Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer in a bid to solve their problems up front.
A new no9 is expected to be a top priority at the end of the season with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to offer a consistent and clinical option up top for Ruben Amorim.
The United is keen on a reunion with Viktor Gyokeres, who fired Sporting Lisbon to the Portuguese title last season having already bagged 34 in 35 appearances this term.
But a move for the Sweden international appears unlikely at this stage with finances among the reasons why United may look elsewhere.
22-year-old Delap is another name under consideration, according to the Athletic.
The striker has enjoyed a fine first season in the Premier League with Ipswich, scoring nine times in 21 appearances with his ever-growing repuation seeing him tipped as a possible long-term successor to Harry Kane for England.
Delap came through the Manchester City academy and is well known to United’s technical director Jason Wilcox, who was academy director at the Etihad when the youngster arrived from Derby County in 2019.
After spells on loan with Stoke City, Preston and Hull, Delap joined Ipswich in a permanent deal worth around £20million last summer. It is believed City retain a £40m buyback option on their youngster.
United have been tracking Delap this season with Ipswich aware of growing interest with Chelsea also admirers.
Ipswich will demand a ‘significant fee’ for their player, however, with United likely to be operating under tight financial restrictions again. Kieran McKenna’s side are currently sat second from bottom and while relegation could work in United’s favour, competition for Delap’s signature could complicate matters.
United have been woeful in front of goal again this season with only the sides in the bottom three and Everton scoring less than them in the league.
Hojlund scored a very respectable 16 goals in his first season in English football last term but has managed just two in the Premier League this term and is currently on a run of 14 games without finding the back of the net.
Zirkzee had not scored since the start of December before tapping home United’s equaliser against Leicester City in the FA Cup last Friday.
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