Chelsea are reportedly confident of finalising a £30 million deal to sign Ipswich Town’s talented striker. The club believes negotiations are progressing well and hopes to complete the transfer soon. The young forward has attracted attention with impressive performances, and Chelsea sees him as a valuable addition to their attacking options

Chelsea are said to be on the verge of completing a transfer for Ipswich Town’s young striker, Liam Delap, in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £30 million. Eager to bolster their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season, the West London side have identified the 22-year-old—who has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough year in the Premier League, netting 12 goals—as a primary target. Despite reported interest from Manchester United, it is Chelsea who now appear to be leading the chase for his signature.

Delap, who has also featured regularly for England’s under-21 side, has made rapid progress over the last twelve months. His performances have attracted attention from several elite clubs, but sources suggest Chelsea have gained the upper hand thanks in large part to the player’s close rapport with their new head coach, Enzo Maresca. The two worked together at Manchester City’s academy, and Delap is believed to be keen on reuniting with Maresca, whom he credits with helping him refine his skills and build his confidence.

This potential transfer is the latest example of Chelsea recruiting players and staff with previous ties to Manchester City. Under Maresca’s guidance, the club have already secured a number of former City names in recent transfer windows, underscoring the manager’s influence and Chelsea’s broader strategy to assemble a youthful, technically adept squad poised for long-term success.

Should the move be finalized, Delap would join what is expected to be a significantly reshaped forward line this summer. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of existing strikers such as Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja, the addition of Delap would not only increase squad depth but also foster healthy competition for a starting berth.

Talks between Chelsea and Ipswich Town are reportedly well advanced, with both sides optimistic that they can reach a definitive agreement in the near future.