Manchester United have been linked with a possible shock move to sign Chelsea’s Liam Delap this summer after missing out on the Englishman in 2025.
Manchester United’s 2025 summer priorities included signing three new forwards: Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.
However, the club’s initial plan was to bring in Cunha from Wolves by using his £62.5 million release clause and to spend a further £30 million on signing young Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
While Cunha jumped at the chance to join the Reds, Delap took his time to pick which club he thought would be next best, and instead decided to join Chelsea over United or his other suitors, Everton and Newcastle.
With United opting for Šeško once their search for a striker ramped up toward the end of the window, the Slovenian has started to enjoy life at United, while Delap has just two goals and four assists in 24 appearances this term, also being shown a red card.
United linked with shock Delap swoop
With Delap struggling to find any way into Chelsea’s starting XI amid his desire for development, reports are starting to emerge linking the 23-year-old with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer.
According to CaughtOffside, Delap may not have much longer at Chelsea, with the club already open to a loan this summer, with a possible option or obligation to buy.
It is suggested that the odds of Delap remaining at Chelsea this summer are diminishing, with several clubs already informed of his possible availability and considering their own transfer plans accordingly.
While there has been no direct contact between Delap and potential suitors, United are mentioned as a club to watch alongside Everton, Brighton, and Sunderland.
It’s further claimed that, with United having pushed hard for Delap last summer, their admiration for the player remains.
United don’t need a striker this summer
While Šeško is the only senior player in United’s squad who could be called a natural striker, the performances of both Mbeumo and Cunha have already shown that the club just don’t need to spend on another striker this summer.
It’s well documented that left wing, midfield, and possibly defence are higher-priority areas to spend on in the summer, and if the club qualify for the Champions League, these areas will only become more pressing.
Mbeumo has scored against four of the other big six teams this season and has been brilliant operating as both a striker and a left-winger, while Cunha has also played a role through the middle, and Šeško has five goals in his last six appearances.
Couple this with the likes of Academy stars Chido Obi and JJ Gabriel knocking on Michael Carrick’s door in training, and it becomes clear that United have more than enough firepower in the striker department and should focus on spending transfer funds elsewhere on the field.
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