Chelsea have been linked with Ipswich Town\u2019s Liam Delap for much of the season, and certainly once the 22-year-old got off to a pretty good start, scoring six times in his first eleven Premier League appearances. He would cool off a bit after that, but still finish with 12 goals and a couple assists while playing in nearly every single game (37 of the 38, with 32 starts).<\/p>\n
Though he was not able to rescue Ipswich from relegation, his performances look to have earned him a stay in the top flight. Chelsea, Newcastle United<\/a>, and Manchester United<\/a> have all been linked heavily in recent months, especially after his \u00a330m relegation release clause became public knowledge. That clause is now active.<\/p>\n Delap had been expected to perhaps choose Manchester United, but over the past 24-48 hours, the pendulum appears<\/a> to have swung back in Chelsea\u2019s direction. There\u2019s \u201cgrowing noise\u201d that we are the favorites, says The Guardian<\/a>, which is of course vague enough to leave plenty of room for other outcomes, but does signal a shift in the narrative. United look set to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves, which could have motivated this direction change as well.<\/p>\n Delap is expected to make a decision this week …<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks more likely than not that he will move on this summer and he has interest from pretty much every club in the league, and I don\u2019t think there are many clubs in the world who wouldn\u2019t want to have him.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing is sorted, nothing is done or completed or even very, very, very close, so that process will take its course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n