Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has broken his silence on reports that he could make the switch to either Manchester United or Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
Despite the Tractor Boys' perilous position in the Premier League table, where they sit three points adrift of safety in 19th place, Delap has earned plenty of plaudits for his effervescent performances in 2024-25.
The former Manchester City youngster has been involved in 11 goals in 23 Premier League appearances - nine of his own and two assists - since joining in a £14.9m deal from the reigning champions last summer.
Delap has supposedly been identified as a player with 'exceptional transfer metrics' by Chelsea, while Man United are also rumoured to be keeping tabs on his progress amid Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund's struggles.
The 22-year-old committed to a five-year contract at Portman Road upon his arrival, meaning that he is not due to become a free agent until 2029, but Ipswich may find it difficult to turn down a sizeable bid if they are sent straight back down to the Championship.
Delap plays down Man United, Chelsea transfer reports
© Imago
However, speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, Delap insisted that he was trying to ignore the whirlwind of transfer stories and is enjoying his time under Kieran McKenna "so much".
"I'm so happy here, I'm enjoying it so much here. I just look forward to playing football. I take every game as it comes and focus on the next," the England Under-21 international said.
"It [the media speculation] is something that I try and stay away from. People around me have told me to stay away from it, it's something that I'm very good at in focusing on what I want to do. That's playing football here.
"I'm really enjoying my time here and I enjoy playing every week. That's the most important thing. We know, as players and people, that there is noise. If we have a bad game and people are slating us for not performing or getting the right results, we stay focused on ourselves and what we have to achieve."
Delap was on target in Ipswich's last Premier League game - a 2-1 home loss to relegation rivals Southampton - and will aim to hit double figures for the season in Saturday's meeting with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Could Man City still scupper Man United, Chelsea Delap bids?
© Imago
While Delap has well and truly made a name for himself in the Premier League now, the 22-year-old was barely given a look-in by Pep Guardiola during his time at Manchester City.
Delap only played six times for the Citizens' senior team - scoring once in a 2020-21 EFL Cup win over Bournemouth - but the Manchester Evening News reports that the Premier League champions are in possession of a £29.5m buyback option.
Guardiola's side could therefore scupper Man United and Chelsea's efforts to secure Delap's services by triggering that clause, and some City fans may have been lamenting his sale when Julian Alvarez also departed for Atletico Madrid.
However, Erling Haaland now has additional support from January signing Omar Marmoush, not to mention the fact that the Norway international recently signed an astonishing new nine-and-a-half year contract.
On current form, Delap would easily lead the Man United line over Hojlund and Zirkzee, although Chelsea could also be a viable option if he does not want to completely burn his bridges with the blue half of Manchester.
Ben Knapton
