TBR Football understands that Chelsea sent scouts to watch Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap in action against Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
Delap did not score in Ipswich’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, however, the forward enjoyed a solid afternoon causing a host of problems to the visiting defence.
Enzo Maresca is a big fan of the former Manchester City youth star who enjoyed a fruitful spell under the Italian scoring 27 goals in 22 matches.
Many top Premier League clubs have shown an interest in Delap in recent months, but none more so than Chelsea with TBR Football being told the Blues were represented at Portman Road to check on the 22-year-old.
Chelsea face strong competition to sign Liam Delap
Whilst Chelsea, along with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, are all keeping close tabs on Liam Delap’s situation – sources have told TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey that there is strong interest from the continent.
TBR Football sources understand that RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt were also present at Portman Road to watch him.
Leipzig, who are gearing up to lose at least one of the forwards this summer with Benjamin Sesko looking increasingly likely to move to England this summer, are particularly interested in Delap.
At this stage, TBR Football can reveal that Ipswich want around £40m, with Man City owning a 20 percent sell-on clause on the striker.
Gary Lineker is a big fan of Delap and has urged Arsenal to move for him over Alexander Isak who could cost £150 million.
The 22-year-old is currently on ten Premier League goals for the season as he continues to impress in his debut top-flight campaign as a regular starter.
Liam Delap has already flourished under Enzo Maresca
Delap was part of Maresca’s Man City under-23 team which won the Premier League 2 and proved to be one of the best youth teams in the country.
The Ipswich forward played alongside the likes of Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and James McAtee during his spell in the City academy.
| Apps | Goals | Assists |
| 22 | 27 | 6 |
Maresca also helped him to score a rather impressive amount of goals as he netted 27 times in 22 appearances whilst also notching six assists.