Chelsea 'add Prem striker to shortlist' but Man City could scupper transfer plans quickly

Enzo Maresca and Pep Guardiola. (Image: Getty.)

Chelsea are reportedly keen on Ipswich striker Liam Delap, but may have to contend with Manchester City despite Pep Guardiola’s outfit only selling him in the summer.

Delap has made a strong start to life at Portman Road, scoring six goals in 11 games for the newly promoted Premier League side. And his early form is attracting attention from Enzo Maresca’s Blues.

Chelsea attempted to add more firepower in the summer through Victor Osimhen, but could not agree a deal in time and the Napoli hitman ended up joining Galatasaray on loan, where he has also shone in the first few months of the season.

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The i claim that Delap has now emerged as a target for Chelsea, with interest cooling in Osimhen, the 21-year-old is said to be showing up highly on the Blues’ advanced transfer metrics.

His movement and physical attributes have impressed those watching on from Stamford Bridge, though with Ipswich battling relegation they would likely reject any advances for their top scorer in January.

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Chelsea are no stranger to splashing the cash, however, and want to look at a younger alternative to Osimhen who would be more willing to fit within the club’s existing wage structure.

Chelsea target Liam Delap in action for Ipswich. (Image: Getty)

However, perhaps crucially for Chelsea is that Manchester City have a £20million buy-back deal in place to return Delap to the Etihad, should they wish to take up that option.

Incoming transfer chief Hugo Viana would unlikely want one of their rivals to be able to strengthen further and there is a lack of candidates to replace Erling Haaland should the league’s top scorer pick up an injury.

After Julian Alvarez left for Atletico Madrid in a £82m summer deal, City opted against replacing the Argentine directly. The likes of Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb can lead the line, but if Haaland were to spend an extended period sidelined, another striker would be ideal.

And Delap represents a cost-effective and homegrown option. Whether he would want to return to Manchester to be a backup to Haaland remains to be seen, but Nicolas Jackson’s impressive form at Chelsea may land him in a similar situation regardless.

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Chelsea do have alternatives if Delap rejoins City or remains at Ipswich, despite Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix preferring to play in a deeper role, but Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is not thought to be one of them.

There is confidence within the Magpies that their Swedish talisman is happy and committed at St James’ Park, despite interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.

No breakthrough has been made over his contract, which runs until 2028, but he recently reaffirmed his intention to stay at Newcastle over the international break.