One of Ruben Amorim's first transfer acts as Manchester United manager could send millions in fresh funds to rivals Manchester City.
The Red Devils are being linked with a move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap in 2025. Delap, 21, has been in fierce form for the Tractor Boys since joining in the summer, leaving City in a deal potentially worth up to £20million after impressing on loan in the Championship.
The England U21 international split his 2022/23 season being farmed out at Stoke City and Preston before enjoying a breakthrough campaign at Hull City last term. Delap has followed that up with six goals in his first 13 Premier League outings under Kieran McKenna, leading to rumours of another step up next year.
It's understood City have a first-refusal buy-back clause to re-sign the forward, but they also stand to profit should he move elsewhere. That's thanks to a 20% sell-on stipulation in his current deal, guaranteeing Pep Guardiola's side a slice of the pie even if he joins a direct rival.
One would imagine the player has boosted his valuation considerably after proving himself in the top flight so far this term. Delap - the son of former Stoke star Rory - had a hand in both goals as Ipswich beat Tottenham away just prior to the last international break, as well as scoring a brace in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and an equaliser against Fulham.
Amorim got an up-close look at Delap when he made his English dugout debut at Portman Road, where United were held to a 1-1 draw. The Winchester-born talent came close to scoring himself with two shots on target despite taking only 17 touches against United; only Marcus Rashford (13) had fewer.
Speculation regarding interest in Delap has sprouted just as Rasmus Hojlund has started to take flight under Amorim. The Dane scored two and assisted another as United beat Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt 3-2 on Thursday to clinch their second win of the Europa League campaign.
Hojlund, 21, is hoping to justify his £72m transfer fee by filling the same role Viktor Gyokeres revelled in while playing under Amorim at Sporting CP. United also have striker alternatives in Rashford and summer signing Joshua Zirkzee, though neither have managed to piece together a string of consistent form this season.
It's perhaps unlikely City will capitalise on their buy-back clause to reunite with Delap considering their striker position is accounted for. Erling Haaland once again leads the Premier League goal charts with 12 finishes so far this term and has been touted to sign a new bumper contract at the Etihad.
After getting a taste of the top-tier lifestyle under McKenna, Delap won't want to settle for playing second fiddle should he move next year. But depending on his new value, United may have to indirectly hand their bitter nemeses a sizeable sum if they're to get their hands on the player.
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