Manchester United are intensifying their interest in young striker Liam Delap, and they’ve just received a glowing endorsement from a manager who knows talent when he sees it. Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna has publicly backed Delap to reach the very top, insisting the 21-year-old has what it takes to shine at the world’s most elite clubs.
“As I’ve said before, I think there’s certainly a possibility that he’s an Ipswich player next year. I don’t think anything’s decided in anyone’s mind,” McKenna stated. “But can Liam play for the biggest clubs in the country, the biggest clubs in the world? He certainly can. I fully believe that.”
Delap has been a standout performer in his first full Premier League season, netting 12 goals despite Ipswich Town’s relegation. Thanks to a clause in his contract, the striker is available for just £30 million—an appealing price tag for top clubs looking for value and potential.
United’s current number nine, Rasmus Højlund, may have recently scored against Bournemouth, but Ruben Amorim is keen on bolstering his attacking options. Delap is considered a more cost-effective alternative to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who remains on United’s radar.
The young striker’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. Apart from Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, Newcastle United, and Besiktas are all closely monitoring the situation. In fact, Chelsea reportedly feel confident about landing him.
McKenna, a former Manchester United assistant who worked under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has seen Delap’s progression up close. “He’s already shown the impact he can have at Premier League level in a team that have really been fighting for everything,” he said. “He’s happy and he’s developing really well here. He has the potential. I think he will, in his career, go on to do some really, really good things.”
Whether those good things will take place at Old Trafford is still uncertain. United are also considering Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and may yet revive a move for Osimhen, should wage demands be met.
Regardless of where he ends up, Liam Delap is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about forwards in European football—and this summer could define the next stage of his promising career.
