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Man Utd need to forget Delap: Five BETTER and CHEAPER options
Robin Bairner
- 24 May 2025 13:20 BST
- 6 min read
Analysis
Manchester United are embroiled in a transfer battle with Chelsea and Everton over Ipswich Town sensation Liam Delap, but the Red Devils need to look away from the youngster.
The time for Man Utd building a team for the future is over. Lying 16th in the Premier League and in desperate need of an injection of quality, the Red Devils need players who can make an immediate impact. What’s more, they need them to come cheap.
There are clear upsides to signing Delap, but there are better players more capable of stepping up at Old Trafford and having an immediate impact. Remember, the former Manchester City striker only has 12 top-flight goals to his name, two of which have been penalties.
STATS
Liam Delap
F (C), AM (R)
Ipswich Town
Liam Delap
F (C), AM (R)
Ipswich Town
So who are the alternatives?
FootballTransfers has used SciSports to examine potential signings based on these conditions:
- Position: Centre-forward
- Market Value: Under €30m
- Similar to: Liam Delap – 80% similarity in playing style or more
- SciSkill: Greater than 80.0 (Delap’s current ability)
This has thrown up 39 players, including former Man Utd stars Romelu Lukaku and Danny Welbeck.
Here are five realistic signings based on this data.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – Crystal Palace
Estimated Transfer Value: €31.8m
Mateta has already been linked with a move to Man Utd in the summer and these rumours surfaced again this week as a report from L’Equipe suggested that a deal might be possible.
At 27, he’s in the prime of his career and has experienced an extraordinary campaign in which he has netted 14 Premier League goals for Crystal Palace, playing a major role as they won the FA Cup.
This could be his last shot at getting a big move and it’s surely a prospect he would relish. Mateta would give United the physicality, mentality and finishing that they have so obviously lacked this season.
Maximilian Beier – Borussia Dortmund
Estimated Transfer Value: €26.9m
Beier exploded onto the Bundesliga scene in 2023/24 with Hoffenheim as he scored 16 goals, but since making a €28.5m move to Dortmund in the summer, he has found the going more difficult.
The 22-year-old only has nine goals for the season with BVB in all competitions, but this could be seen as an opportunity for Man Utd. Beier is more highly rated than Delap by SciSports, boasting a SciSkill of 96.1 while there is plenty of room for growth.
United are not typically a club that resuscitates careers, but given the current situation of the team, that might have to change. SciSports believes he has the highest ceiling of anyone on this list.
STATS
Maximilian Beier
F (C)
Dortmund
Maximilian Beier
F (C)
Dortmund
Arnaud Kalimuendo – Rennes
Estimated Transfer Value: €24.4m
It’s been a tough campaign for Rennes but young striker Kalimuendo has stood up well in the circumstances and is a player who could earn a big move in the summer. He’s previously been linked with Premier League clubs.
At 23, the PSG academy product is coming off his best season to date, having scored 17 times for a struggling side in Ligue 1. He is strong and quick, while he also has five assists to his credit, highlighting that he is more than just a finisher.
Current ETV
Arnaud Kalimuendo
F (C)
Arnaud Kalimuendo
F (C)
Stade Rennais
ETV Range
€22M - €26.9M
Tammy Abraham – AC Milan (on loan from Roma)
Estimated Transfer Value: €16.6m
If Man Utd want a striker Premier League tested, former Chelsea hitman Tammy Abraham offers an interesting option.
A move to Roma initially allowed him to flourish but a serious knee injury curtailed his progress and he has since been moved on loan to AC Milan. Abraham has been a victim of the struggles of the San Siro club and has scored only nine times this season while chipping in six assists.
He is still considered a good player by SciSports, suggesting that a change of scene could do him a lot of good.
Jonas Wind – Wolfsburg
Estimated Transfer Value: €14m
Wind has been around the block at 26 and has been a solid player for Wolfsburg for each of his three seasons in the Bundesliga, consistently delivering goals and assists at a steady rate.
He only has a year left to run on his deal in Germany, making him a potential bargain.
The presence of the Denmark international could help Rasmus Hojlund should he remain at the club.
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