Chelsea Secure Liam Delap in £30m Transfer from Ipswich Town

Chelsea have finalised the signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for a reported £30m. The 22-year-old joins the Blues on a six-year contract after the club triggered a release clause in his contract, made active following Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League. Chelsea will pay £20m upfront, and Ipswich have included a sell-on clause in the agreement, according to club sources.

Delap attracted interest from several top-flight clubs, including Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Everton. However, new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca played a key role in convincing the England Under-21 international to join. Delap acknowledged the club's growing stature, praising the team's talent and ambition. He expressed excitement about developing further and helping the club win more silverware in the future.

Delap scored 12 goals in 37 appearances last season in the Premier League. His journey began at Derby County's academy before joining Manchester City, where he made six first-team appearances. He spent loan spells at Stoke, Preston, and Hull, eventually making a permanent move to Ipswich for £20m in 2024. The striker said he cherished his time at Portman Road and thanked boss Kieran McKenna and the fans for their support.

Now at Stamford Bridge, Delap joins a Chelsea side that won the UEFA Conference League and secured a Champions League spot for the next season. He will have the opportunity to increase his Champions League experience, having previously featured once in the tournament with Manchester City in 2022. His inclusion in Chelsea's Club World Cup squad likely rules him out of the upcoming European Under-21 Championships in Slovenia.

Chelsea struggled to find a consistent goal-scorer last season, with Cole Palmer leading the team with 15 league goals. Nicolas Jackson managed 10 in 30 appearances, while Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu contributed fewer. Delap's arrival aims to address the Blues' attacking issues ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they face Los Angeles FC on 16 June in the U.S.

The club is actively working to bolster their squad, with ongoing talks for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and interest in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. Gittens, another England U21 talent, previously spent time in Chelsea's academy and could return to bolster the wide options. With Delap now on board, Chelsea look to build a formidable squad for domestic and international competitions.