Liam Delap: Bargain release clause for Man Utd & Chelsea target revealed
- Delap emerging as key striker target for Chelsea & Man Utd
- Striker's release clause to drop in event of relegation
- Ipswich facing uphill battle to avoid return to Championship
By Tom Gott

Chelsea and Manchester United target Liam Delap will see his release clause drop to £30m if Ipswich Town are relegated from the Premier League, it has been revealed.
Delap, 22, is enjoying a sensational debut season in English football's top tier, racking up 12 goals and establishing himself as a key target for a number of the Premier League's top sides ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea are long-time admirers of Delap and are thought to see the former Manchester City youngster as a top target, while United have been increasingly tipped to pursue Delap instead of big-money targets like Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres.
Also working in Delap's favour is the presence of an affordable release clause in his contract. The Guardian were the first to reveal he will be available for as little as £30m if Ipswich fail to avoid the drop.
Relegation is not yet a certainty for Kieran McKenna's side, but Ipswich sit 18th in the standings, 12 points adrift of safety with just seven games to go after a crushing defeat at home to 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
Should Ipswich go down, Delap will become even more of an intriguing target for clubs across Europe. The Athletic state the vast majority of the Premier League are following his situation, while Bayern Munich and AC Milan are admirers from mainland Europe.
Newcastle United and Liverpool have been named as suitors for Delap, while City also hold a buy-back clause and are entitled to 20% of the funds raised by his eventual departure from Ipswich.
Delap is keen to secure regular football next season as he looks to break into the England setup and that is likely to factor into his final decision.
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