Ipswich Town will almost certainly begin rebuilding for the 2025/26 season without their talismanic youngster, Liam Delap. The 22-year-old striker has provided some light in what has been an arduous, challenging season for the Tractor Boys, but everything points to him not being at Portman Road next season. Several sources suggest Delap would be available for a relatively bargain price of £30 million if Ipswich fails to avoid the dreaded drop to the Championship.
It has been a season to forget for Ipswich Town supporters and everyone connected with the club. Having gained back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, Ipswich has struggled to adapt to life in English football’s top flight. With only seven games remaining, Ipswich is in 18th place, 12 points away from safety, and odds-on with the best mobile soccer betting apps to return to the Championship after only one season in the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys have played 31 games, won only four, drawn eight, and lost 19. During that time, they have scored only 31 goals but conceded 65; both figures are the third-worst in the division. Delap has scored 12 of those 31 Premier League goals and assisted two others, an impressive tally for a young striker finding his feet and doing so with a struggling team. Delap will likely be highly sought after once the summer transfer window opens.
£30 Million Release Clause Almost Certain to be Met
Ipswich signed Liam Delap from Manchester City for £20 million in July 2024 as they looked to bolster their forward line after returning to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. Such a large fee for a then-21-year-old raised a few eyebrows, primarily because Delap had only scored 16 goals in 80 appearances while on loan to Stoke City, Preston North End, and Hull City during his fledgling career.
However, the Manchester City youth product has lived up to his hefty price tag and has been a beacon of positivity for Ipswich in an otherwise forgettable season for the soon-to-be-relegated club. His 12 Premier League goals rank him joint 11th in the top goal scorer charts and are nine more than any of his Ipswich teammates have managed this season.
Liam Delap is believed to have a £40 million release clause in his contract with Manchester City having a buy-back agreement for that princely sum. Additionally, City has a 20% sell-on clause due to them rating the England U21 star highly. This week, the BBC reported that Delap’s release clause would fall to a more affordable £30 million if Ipswich were relegated back to the Championship. With the Tractor Boys facing Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle United in their next three games, the club’s relegation looks all but guaranteed.
£30 million seems like a bargain in today’s market, especially as Liam Delap is young, English, and evidently talented. The fact that Delap has managed to score 12 goals and create two assists in a struggling team during his first full Premier League season is impressive. As a result, Ipswich and Delap should not be short of potential suitors if he becomes available for £30 million.
Where Could Delap Be Playing Next Season?
Although Delap may remain with Ipswich Town when they are relegated to the Championship, it is unlikely at best. Delap’s five-year contract sees him earn £20,000 per week, but that will almost certainly be reduced as teams often insert relegation wage reduction clauses into contracts. Delap could easily earn double, if not triple, his current wage if he remained in the Premier League with another club.
Of course, although money does play a significant role in a player’s thought process, it is not the be-all and end-all. Most footballers are ambitious and want to play against the best teams and players. Delap is young and hungry for success and has proven he has what it takes to be a Premier League star. He will not want to drop down a division when he could be rubbing shoulders with some of the game’s greats week in and week out.
Potential Premier League Suitors
Manchester City has a £40 million buy-back option on Delap. However, a return to the Etihad is unlikely, with City paying £59 million to Eintracht Frankfurt for Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush during the January transfer window. City also has Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland as its first-choice striker. City will not pay £40 million for another striker to sit on the bench, and Delap would not want to go from being the focal point of a team to being a third-choice frontman.
Manchester United is a club linked with making a move for Delap. The Red Devils are rebuilding, and head coach Ruben Amorim is crying out for a new striker. However, there is uncertainty about how much money United will have to spend this summer; much depends on whether or not they qualify for the UEFA Champions League by winning the Europa League. Additionally, Delap will attract other clubs’ attention, which could drive up the £30 million price and his wages. United are keen to offload high-earners from their squad so they could be priced out of a move for Delap.
Delap has also been linked with a reunion with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who worked with him in City’s academy. However, the Blues are currently linked with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal has also been linked with Sesko and Gyokeres but, so far, not Delap. The Gunners are in the market for a number nine but are likelier to go for someone with more top-flight and European experience than the Ipswich striker.
Newcastle United could also be in the market to bolster its frontline if its PSR position allows it to do so. Alexander Isak is continually linked with a move away from St James’ Park, while injury-prone Callum Wilson is out of contract in the summer. Delap would fit Eddie Howe’s system, so do not rule out a move from Suffolk to the North East for Delap this summer.
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