Delap: Why Juventus want England U21 striker from Ipswich | OneFootball

Reports in Italy and the UK suggest that Juventus are interested in pursuing a deal for Ipswich town and England U21 striker Liam Delap. Here is everything you need to know about the 21-year-old and why the Bianconeri want to sign him.

Why Juventus want Delap

According to Turin-based outlet Tuttosport, Juventus are interested in a deal for Ipswich’s Liam Delap. The Bianconeri sent scouts to watch him in action during the Tractor Boys’ recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League according to recent reports from The Mirror.

Liam Delap of Ipswich Town makes an attempt on goal during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Manchester United FC at Portman Road on November 24, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

His age, 21, and the fact that young English players tend to come at a premium makes Delap an interesting investment given the potential for a large sell-on fee later down the line.

Juventus would only be able to afford a permanent deal for Delap in the event of selling current no.9 Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract expires in 2026.

Vlahovic will be entering the final year of his contract next season, and is currently the highest paid player in Serie A, which makes a renewal fairly difficult.

If Juventus are to recoup any of the €80m fee they spent on the Serbian in 2021, they would need to move him on in either the summer transfer window, or likely lose him on a free transfer when his contract expires.

The centre-forward department at Juventus is also one of the more fragile areas of Thiago Motta’s project.

Vlahovic has been the only recognised senior centre-forward available all season, and Arkadiusz Milik, whose contract is also up in 2026, is now 30 and has not featured in any competition since May, so a rebuild of the Bianconeri striking department is on the cards for the summer.

Everything Juventus should know about Delap

Delap will not come cheaply for Juventus, given that he is one of the most exciting prospects that England or the Premier League has to offer in terms of young centre-forwards.

The 21-year-old is a product of the Manchester City youth academy. His father is former Stoke City and Republic of Ireland midfielder Rory Delap – yes, the one with the very long throw-in.

Behind Sergio Aguero and later Erling Haaland in the line of succession up front at Manchester City, Delap was allowed to leave on a series of loan moves in the EFL with Stoke City, Preston North End and then Hull City between 2022 and 2024.

He would then join the newly-promoted Ipswich in the summer of 2024, teaming up with Kieran McKenna in a permanent €24m (£20m) move from City.

Liam Delap of England looks on ahead of the UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifying match between England and Ukraine at Vitality Stadium on October 11, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Since then, he has gone on to score a goal every other game in the Premier League, netting six from his first 12 appearances in the top flight with Ipswich. Still only 21 years of age, Delap has also scored twice from nine appearances for England’s U21 side.

At 6’1 in height, Delap is tall and strong enough to lead the line in one of Europe’s most competitive divisions, and having come up through the City academy system, is also a decent player with the ball at his feet as well.