Liam Delap (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Manchester City faces a potential "Cole Palmer situation" as Chelsea and Manchester United show interest in Ipswich star Liam Delap. Will City exercise their buyback clause?
Manchester City, currently enduring a six-match winless streak, is feeling the absence of key players it let go in recent transfer windows. While the departure of Julián Álvarez remains a sore point, the case of Cole Palmer stings even more. Now thriving at Chelsea, Palmer has played 59 matches, scoring 32 goals and providing 20 assists, leaving many City fans wondering what could have been had he been given more opportunities at the Etihad.
City may face déjà vu with Liam Delap, the 20-year-old striker currently impressing at Ipswich Town. Having joined Ipswich for €17.85 million, Delap is lighting up the Championship with six goals and one assist in 13 matches, earning rave reviews across England. His performances have drawn interest from Premier League heavyweights, including Chelsea and Manchester United, who are reportedly monitoring him closely.
City’s safety net: A buyback clause
Fortunately for City, they included a buyback clause in Delap’s transfer, allowing them to reclaim the striker should they decide to do so. With Guardiola lacking a natural backup for Erling Haaland, Delap’s form could prompt the club to act. Since Álvarez’s departure, Guardiola has relied on makeshift solutions, using midfielders in forward roles, but Delap’s recent performances suggest he could provide a much-needed option in attack.
However, according to The Athletic, City faces stiff competition. Scouts from Chelsea and Manchester United were in attendance during Ipswich’s recent 1-1 draw with United on November 24. Both clubs, along with other members of the so-called “Big Six”, are reportedly considering bids for Delap, potentially complicating City’s plans to bring him back.
A reminder of the Cole Palmer saga
City’s handling of Cole Palmer remains a cautionary tale. The talented winger left the Etihad after limited opportunities and has since flourished at Chelsea, becoming a key player for the London side. Many fear Delap could follow a similar path, thriving at a rival club while City is left to rue another missed opportunity.
With Delap’s future likely to be decided by mid-2025, City must carefully weigh their options. They could either exercise the buyback clause to prevent him from joining a rival or risk seeing another academy graduate excel elsewhere.