‘Contact made’: Romano confirms Utd have started their pursuit of ‘phenomenal’ 22-y/o with limitless potential | OneFootball

INEOS aren’t messing around when it comes to pursuing the targets Ruben Amorim needs this summer.

Already have Manchester United been linked with a host of top players in the lead-up to the transfer window, with some deals looking more plausible than others.

For example, widespread speculation had suggested the Reds were sizing up a swoop for £70 million-rated Victor Osimhen to finally put an end to the side’s notorious goalscoring woes. However, David Ornstein revealed on Thursday evening that the Napoli ace was not considered a viable alternative to United’s first-choice centre-forward target, Liam Delap.

While Osimhen, 26, would undoubtedly be a stellar addition to the squad, given he’s been one of Europe’s most renowned No.9s in recent years, he clearly doesn’t fit the bill of what INEOS are looking for. Delap, on the other hand, is a younger option at just 22 years old and is now something of a Premier League-proven frontman following a superb personal campaign with Ipswich Town.

Fabrizio Romano: United and Chelsea could vie for Delap

Delap has enjoyed a tremendous personal season as a nailed-on starter. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Manchester City graduate has found the back of the net 12 times in 32 appearances since being granted a concrete starting role under Kieran McKenna and is likely to add to his tally before 2024/2025 draws to a close at the end of May. Then, if the Tractor Boys have indeed been relegated as is currently anticipated, Delap will be available for just £30 million due to a release clause included in his contract.

He was recently singled out for high praise by teammate Jens Cajuste, who said of the England U21 international (via Sky Sports): “He’s phenomenal. He’s a beast – totally. And for a young player like him, it is very hard to say what he can be. I don’t think there’s a limit, really. It’s all up to him really, how far he wants to go, but he definitely has all the qualities.”

Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano confirmed both United and rivals Chelsea are great admirers of Delap’s abilities.

“Yeah, both of them [Man United and Chelsea] are trying. Both of them are interested,” he told the Market Madness podcast.

“So for sure, the player is doing fantastic, and so Man United and Chelsea are very attentive to the situation. From what I heard, they have already made contact with the agents of the player to be informed of this relegation clause, £30 million. It’s a big opportunity.”

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