Valuation of Manchester City buy-back clause in Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap revealed | OneFootball

Manchester City hold a big-money buy-back clause on Liam Delap as part of the agreement that saw him leave the Etihad Stadium for Ipswich last summer.

Delap brought an end to his association with the reigning Premier League champions after three successive loan spells last summer, rejecting widespread interest from throughout the game to join newly promoted Premier League side Ipswich in a deal worth up to £20 million.

The Manchester City Academy graduate got off to a flyer, scoring his first goal for Kieran McKenna’s men in late August, before going on to score both goals in a 2–2 home draw with Aston Villa – the first Ipswich player to net twice in a Premier League game since 2002.

The rise of the former Derby County Academy prospect continued deeper into the ongoing season as the son of Stoke legend Rory Delap scored and assisted in a 2–0 home league win over Chelsea.

And while Manchester City may have decided to cash in on the player last summer with his pathway into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad somewhat blocked by Erling Haaland, Etihad Stadium officials remain well-aware of his talents and retain an involvement in his future.

According to confirmation from MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Manchester City officials managed to insert a buy-back clause into Liam Delap’s agreement with Ipswich Town last summer, which is understood to be valued at over £30 million.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Manchester City would be open to bringing the player back to the club in any capacity in the near-future, with a long line of potential suitors expected following the conclusion of the ongoing season.

City themselves are on the verge of recruiting in their forward positions this month, with Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt international Omar Marmoush set to put pen to paper on a €75 million switch to the Premier League giants in the coming days.

Pep Guardiola has spoken fondly of Delap during a recent press conference, insisting that all those at Manchester City are happy to see the young striker making significant progress at Portman Road under Kieran McKenna.

“He’s doing really well! Many players come from the academy, they are set up perfectly in the Premier League,” Delap told a recent press conference.

He continued, “When he was here, always we thought he’s a typical striker for the Premier League, and he’s doing really well. We are happy for him!”