Man Utd identify No.1 summer transfer target – but could line Man City’s pockets

Manchester United want to sign a striker in the transfer window and that could yet benefit Manchester City, as Ruben Amorim’s side Ipswich Town star Liam Delap in the summer

Manchester United have made Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap their No.1 target ahead of the summer transfer window. The Premier League striker has become the club’s primary selection after initially holding a shortlist that included Victor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekiteke.

Delap has bagged 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances for the Tractor Boys this term as they look to avoid relegation. If Kieran McKenna’s side are unable to prevent the drop to the Championship, they are currently 12 points from safety, Delap is said to be available for £40million.

The Red Devils have made Delap their first choice option despite it seeing them help boost the coffers of cross-town rivals Manchester City, according to reports. After tying Erling Haaland down to a long-term deal it seems unlikely Pep Guardiola’s side will enact a £40m buy-back clause but it is said they are entitled to 20 per cent of any profit made from Delap’s sale.

The striker joined Ipswich from Manchester City in a £20m deal last summer. The 22-year-old has continued to build his reputation and has been linked to Chelsea in addition to United.

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United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted he plans to bring in significant players this summer, having only been able to see the arrival of Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heavan in January. The club’s struggles in front of goal this term will see them target a striker to succeed where the likes of Ramus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled.

“But I just want to focus on our strengths and bring in one or two players – big players,” Amorim said last week. “We need to focus and we are doing all the stuff to be next season so much better.

“In my idea, I cannot manage this thing of ‘in four years we will try something’. We need to be so much better now. This is a massive club. The focus must be how to improve our team in every aspect. The Premier League is so difficult.”

Delap meanwhile has remained coy over his future. The England under-21 international has suggested his focus simply remains on performing for Ipswich and is very happy at the club.

He told East Anglian Daily Times: “I’m so happy here, I’m enjoying it so much here. I just look forward to playing football. I take every game as it comes and focus on the next.

“It [the media speculation] is something that I try to stay away from. People around me have told me to stay away from it, it’s something that I’m very good at, focusing on what I want to do. That’s playing football here.

“I’m really enjoying my time here and I enjoy playing every week. That’s the most important thing. We know, as players and people, that there is noise. If we have a bad game and people are slating us for not performing or getting the right results, we stay focused on ourselves and what we have to achieve.”

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