Fabrizio Romano has revealed the three key reasons why Liam Delap has chosen to join Chelsea over Manchester United this summer.
With the transfer window set to open soon, Manchester United are already working behind the scenes to secure early signings ahead of the summer.
Matheus Cunha is reportedly on the verge of joining the club, potentially becoming Ruben Amorim’s first addition, with further attacking reinforcements expected to follow.
After a season marked by a lack of goals, United are keen to strengthen their frontline, with signing a new centre-forward a top priority.
Liam Delap had emerged as a leading target for the club, but reports have revealed that the Ipswich Town striker has decided to join Chelsea instead.
United have been made aware of the player’s decision and will now be looking at alternative targets to sign in the coming months.
Romano reveals why Delap picked Chelsea over United
After confirming the transfer, Fabrizio Romano revealed that there were three key reasons why Delap picked Chelsea over the competitors, like United.
As many others have reported, the Italian journalist said that Champions League football was important in the striker’s decision.
He also claimed that the long contract the Blues are offering and the impact from his former youth team coach Enzo Maresca are two other key reasons behind his decision.
Chelsea have regularly been offering their signings of the last few years long contracts stretching over eight to 10 years. Romano did not clarify that exact length of Delap’s deal but it is likely to be in that ballpark.
Amorim wants players who want United
While it is certainly a blow for the club that Delap is no longer an option, Amorim has made it clear that he wants players who want to play for United.
With or without Champions League football, the United boss believes that the club’s targets should not be joining simply because they want to play in a competition.
“If a player only wants to come to Manchester United to play Champions League, then he will not come,” the 40-year-old said last month when United still had a chance of qualifying for Europe’s elite tournament.
“We want players who want to represent United, not players who want to play certain competitions.”
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