Latest exclusive guarantees £30m striker will be Chelsea’s top target despite rival interest | OneFootball

It’s very clear that, for the third summer in a row, Chelsea’s pursuit of a number 9 is going to be their main concern. And today we’ve had news that a major change has occurred in the balance of who might join.

We all know the runners and the riders. Some of them have been around for years. Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko. They all have their merits.

But another contender has today been given a huge advantage when it comes to Chelsea’s interest. An excusive from the Guardian has today claimed that Liam Delap, another target we hear about a lot, has a £30m release clause should Ipswich be relegated – something which is on the verge of being mathematically confirmed.

12 goals in 33 appearances for a pretty terrible team in your first season in the Premier League is impressive in itself, and Delap has shown much more than just goals. He works hard, links up well, and looks like a complete striker in the making.

The fact that Enzo Maresca knows him from their shared time at the Man City academy only adds weight to the argument that he’s going to be our number one target.

Pieces fall into place for Delap as number 1 target

Chelsea are favourites to sign Liam Delap. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

If this £30m clause is real, it should really end this debate now. It makes Delap a far better target than the others.

He’s already far closer to the age and profile that our sporting directors prefer. The fact he’s also going to be much cheaper than the other options should be a vital factor. Of course we can’t count on only paying that much for him – a clause that low is bound to spark a bidding war, so we could see him end up moving for a lot more.

But it at least opens the bidding pretty low, and makes Delap by far the most likely target out there for Chelsea to put their focus on this summer.