Liam Delap’s Stance Revealed As Chelsea Offer £30M Summer Signing To Another Club
Chelsea striker Liam Delap has refused to go out on loan to Strasbourg, according to reports.
The 23-year-old has had a disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge, following his £30m move from Ipswich Town.
Journalist Simon Phillips claims that the Blues were hoping that Delap would be willing to make the switch to France after failing to impress during his time with the London club.
However, the forward is said to be unwilling to leave for what has been described as a developmental loan, and it raises big questions over his long-term future.
Delap could find himself well down the pecking order
It should not be forgotten that Chelsea will have TWO additional strikers at the club next season. The deal for Emmanuel Emegha was announced in September, and the Dutchman will officially join from Strasbourg later this summer.
Nicolas Jackson, meanwhile, is set to return from his loan spell at Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions will not keep the Senegalese international on a permanent basis.
While the forward does have suitors in Italy (Juventus and AC Milan have been linked over the past couple of days), there is still a chance that he could stay in London. Delap could find himself fourth choice, behind those two strikers and João Pedroin a few months.
Chelsea may look to sell
Of course, a lot depends on the opinion of the club’s next manager, but if Delap is not part of their plans for next season, then it could open up the possibility of the player being offloaded permanently.
Manchester United and Newcastle were among his suitors prior to him joining the Blues. The former are unlikely to be still interested, having subsequently recruited Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. However, the Magpies could potentially be a realistic destination for him.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
