Liam Delap appears poised to reject advances from several Premier League clubs — including Everton, Manchester United, and Newcastle United — in order to complete a transfer to Chelsea. The Ipswich Town striker has reportedly considered multiple options ahead of the summer transfer window but has ultimately chosen Stamford Bridge as his next destination. A key factor in this decision seems to be the opportunity to reunite with Enzo Maresca, his former coach at Manchester City, who is now in charge at Chelsea.
Delap’s reported £30 million release clause has made him an attractive target, but Chelsea now seem to have a clear path to trigger that clause and finalize the deal. Manchester United’s failure to qualify for any European competition next season has significantly weakened their ability to compete for the young striker’s signature. This lack of continental football appears to have swung the momentum in Chelsea’s favour, making them the frontrunners to land the talented forward.
However, while United may have missed out on Delap, the situation has inadvertently opened up a more promising opportunity for them. Reports from *GiveMeSport* suggest that missing out on Delap has actually increased the likelihood of Manchester United securing a deal for Bryan Mbeumo. The Brentford forward, who has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this past season, is now a more realistic target for the Red Devils.
Although Mbeumo isn’t a traditional number nine like Delap, he brings a wealth of experience and attacking versatility. The Cameroonian international has been with Brentford since 2019, when he joined from French side Troyes for a then-record £5.8 million. Over time, his value has soared, with Brentford now expecting a fee between £50 million and £60 million should they part ways with their prized asset this summer. Such a transfer would net the club a considerable profit of at least £44.2 million.
Mbeumo ended the season on a high, scoring in Brentford’s 1-1 draw against Wolves on the final day of the Premier League campaign. That goal marked his 20th in the league, a personal milestone and a clear indicator of his growth and consistency. His tally was also 11 goals higher than the previous season, reinforcing his appeal to bigger clubs.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has already hinted that Mbeumo’s exit is likely, stating the club will consider offers if the price is right. He acknowledged Brentford’s status as a selling club, adding that only a handful of elite clubs in the world are truly able to resist significant transfer bids.
