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Manchester United are eyeing Liam Delap as a prime summer target, with the Ipswich striker’s price expected to be in the region of £40m.
United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, and Jason Wilcox, the technical director, have identified the 22-year-old as an ideal option to bolster an attack that has faltered this season, scoring only 37 goals in 31 Premier League games.
Manchester City sold Delap to Ipswich last summer for £20m and in a first campaign as a Premier League No 9 has scored 12 goals in 30 matches. Delap previously made two top-flight substitute appearances for the champions.
City hold a £40m buy-back option for Delap but do not currently plan to use this. While the fee for the player is set to be £40m or a little more, United may face competition, with Chelsea reportedly also interested. Ipswich are 12 points from safety with seven games left so are likely to be relegated. If so, this will increase Delap’s availability.
United’s other potential centre-forward targets are thought to include Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Meanwhile, André Onana has shrugged off criticism from United fans over his slow distribution by stating he takes that approach to assist his teammates.
The goalkeeper has been the subject of supporter discontent for sometimes lingering over the ball rather than executing a quick pass but said: “It doesn’t affect me because the decision I make is to help the team. Sometimes I will make the right decision, sometimes I will make the wrong decision. When I feel my players need to rest I have to take my time; when I feel we need to speed up the game I will do it.”
Onana referenced Sunday’s goalless derby draw with City at Old Trafford, pointing to how Pep Guardiola’s team dominated the ball. “Sometimes, [as] in the second half with an opponent that has a lot of control – they have more possession than us – I have to let my guys breathe. They need me to do that.”
Ruben Amorim has previously stated that United players can feel pressure when playing at Old Trafford. The head coach’s comments were put to Onana.
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He said: “You always feel a bit of pressure when you wear this jersey – the club is so big. It’s not our best season. You feel the pressure because you’re playing for Manchester United. Sometimes it’s an extra motivation to play in front of our fans. We want to win for them.”
United travel to Lyon for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg. The competition offers a last opportunity to claim a trophy and qualify for the Champions League.
Onana said: “We all know the importance of this game; we will go there with the winning mentality … We have to go there and show who we are. If we are focused, stay compact and together and follow the gameplan we will be winning the game. Of course it’s not going to be easy but I think we are way better than them.”
