Former Preston North End man tipped with £40m Manchester United move - two years after Deepdale frustrations

Ex-Lilywhites striker Liam Delap has been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United - two years after his Deepdale exit.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who have reported the now Ipswich Town frontman is the Red Devils’ number one target in the upcoming transfer window.

The powerful striker has flourished in his maiden Premier League season for the Tractor Boys, netting 12 goals in 30 games following his £20m switch from Manchester City last July.

Kieran McKenna looks to potentially double his money on Delap 12-months on, with Ruben Amorim’s men poised to trigger his £40m Portman Road release clause should Ipswich be relegated.

It is being suggested the 22-year-old is the firm favourite in United’s pursuit for a new forward ahead of Napoli’s Victor Osimhem, Sporting Lisbon and former Coventry talent Victor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

The Red Devils also face strong competition, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle among the Premier League clubs keeping tabs on the ex-Preston and Hull loanee’s situation. Manchester City also have a buy-back clause following his switch to Ipswich last summer -although they aren’t believed to be likely to pursue a move.

Liam Delap’s Preston frustrations

News of a big-money move for Delap comes less than two years after a frustrating loan stint at Deepdale. Aged 20, the England youth international penned a loan deal in January 2023 until the end of that season following a spell with Stoke during the first six months of the term.

However, Tom Cannon’s emergence and impressive form, limited emerging talent to just 15 games under Ryan Lowe - netting just one goal. That strike came in the penultimate contest of the season during a 4-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Despite his frustrations at Deepdale, Delap admitted that his Preston loan stint had been key in his development and growth into first-team football.

‘As a player there are always going to be bumps in the road. I probably learned that I had to go somewhere which suited me. A couple of times I didn't really suit the way teams played and I found it difficult. Last season was a lot better and I chose really well there - at Hull - which helped me a lot.

‘The manager there was really good and helped me improve as a player. I was still very young when I went to Stoke and Preston. They obviously didn't go as well as I wanted them to. It was an incredible experience and I was very grateful I got to do that. I learned more in that year than I (ever) have.

‘When I joined here I knew that the manager and everyone here at the club was going to improve me and help me as a player. Probably, even more than I imagined. I seem to have settled in really well and started the season really well.

‘I had my first two loans which probably didn't go as well as I wanted them to. But, I think I probably learned more in those tough stages than I have when things have gone well. That was the most important thing, to find somewhere that suited me. I knew I could get the best out of myself and the manager and his staff have helped me do that.’

Preston are back in action this evening as they welcome relegation-threatened Cardiff City to Deepdale.

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