Ornstein: Utd tracking 21-y/o forward who can ‘emulate’ Kane amid ‘expectation’ he joins a ‘Big Six’ club | OneFootball

The ever-reliable David Ornstein has provided Manchester United fans with some welcome insight into the club’s transfer targets.

In Friday’s release of the Transfer DealSheet 2025, he revealed that the Red Devils are among a host of clubs keeping track of Liam Delap’s progress with Ipswich Town, with some sides’ scouts getting a closer look at the forward in action during last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

The Premier League newbies welcomed Delap from Manchester City ahead of their first campaign in the top flight for 22 years, agreeing a fee worth up to £20 million to bring him from East Anglia and have him instantly play a prominent role under Kieran McKenna.

He has since gone from strength to strength – even amidst Ipswich’s turbulent start to the season. Across the first 12 games of the campaign, the 21-year-old has returned a notable seven goals and one assist, including a brace against Aston Villa and the second goal of the Tractor Boys’ shock 2-1 away win to Tottenham Hotspur.

Reds mull over Delap move with City waiting in the wings

(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Alas, it’s no surprise to learn that teams are lining up to establish their interest in the striker. Such form has developed an ‘expectation’ that, if it continues, he will seal a move to a ‘Big Six’ club, whether that be at the end of the term or later down the line.

Ipswich potentially being relegated will significantly influence his price tag and may also spur the England U21 international to depart the club after only one season.

Delap, whom pundit Danny Murphy predicted can eventually ‘emulate’ Three Lions skipper Harry Kane, spent five years working his way through City’s academy after joining from Derby County in 2019 and made only six appearances for the first-team before his departure in July.

The Blues do, however, have the opportunity to ‘scupper’ their graduate’s prospective move to a direct rival due to the matching rights and buy-back clauses they included in his exit terms.

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