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Man Utd summer transfer was '90% done' before Chelsea hijack
Cameron Smith
- 17 Oct 2025 07:31 BST
- 4 min read
News
Liam Delap’s proposed move from Ipswich Town to Manchester United this summer was reportedly “90% done” before Chelsea hijacked the deal.
The England striker enjoyed an eye-catching debut campaign at Portman Road and his form for Kieran McKenna’s side attracted the attention of every top Premier League club ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window.
Current ETV
Liam Delap
F (C), AM (R)
Chelsea
Liam Delap
F (C), AM (R)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€18.1M - €22.1M
As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers back in February, Chelsea identified Delap as their priority centre forward target for this summer, however Man Utd soon overtook the Blues in the race to land his signature.
Ruben Amorim was eager to secure the signing of a new number nine following the woes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in 2024-25, and Delap was identified as their top target following Viktor Gyokeres’ decision to prioritise a move to Arsenal.
Delap was expected to become the Red Devils’ marquee centre forward signing this summer and The Daily Mail have now revealed that a move was even “90% done.”
The 22-year-old was on the verge of joining Man Utd after they opted to trigger his €35.5 million (£30m) relegation release clause, however Amorim’s side failed to finalise a deal and Chelsea hijacked the transfer during the pre-Club World Cup window.
Man Utd fail to sign Liam Delap
Delap eventually joined Chelsea on 4 June and Man Utd were ultimately forced to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko for a fee of €76.5m in early August.
The Slovenia international has scored two goals in eight games for the Red Devils, while Delap unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury in just his third Premier League appearance for Chelsea.
The Daily Mail also claim that if Delap had been purchased instead of Sesko, it would have freed up funds for Man Utd to complete the signing of a new midfielder.
They were eager to land a replacement for the departed Christian Eriksen, but a move for top target Carlos Baleba failed to materialise due to Brighton & Hove Albion’s asking price of over €115m (£100m).
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