Manchester United are making significant strides in the summer transfer market, with their primary focus on securing Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. Delap, 22, has emerged as a standout talent this season, scoring 12 goals despite Ipswich’s relegation. His contract includes a £30 million relegation release clause, making him an attractive prospect for Premier League clubs.
United currently hold a key advantage over Chelsea in the race for Delap. The striker reportedly prefers a move back to the North West, favoring Manchester United over a London-based club like Chelsea. This preference, combined with United’s financial readiness, puts them in a strong position to finalize the deal. The club is optimistic that winning the UEFA Europa League could further boost their chances, as it would secure European football, a major factor for Delap’s decision.
In addition to Delap, Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, whose £62.5 million release clause is reportedly being met. Together, these two signings could cost United around £92.5 million, signaling a major overhaul in their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season.
United’s urgency to reinforce their attack is clear, as their current strikers, including Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, have underperformed during a disappointing campaign that sees them 16th in the Premier League. Manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation has struggled without reliable goal-scoring, with the team scoring only 27 open-play goals in 36 matches.
Meanwhile, Chelsea appears to be stepping back from pursuing Jadon Sancho, opting instead to pay a penalty to cancel the deal. This development might open the door for United to retain or even sell Sancho to other clubs. Chelsea is also reportedly interested in signing Alejandro Garnacho from United, showing a complex dynamic between the two clubs in the transfer market.
Other Premier League clubs are also active. Liverpool have held advanced talks for Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who is expected to leave Leverkusen this summer with a release clause of €35-40 million. Bayern Munich is pushing forward with negotiations for Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder, indicating a busy summer for German and English clubs alike.
Napoli is confident about signing Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer once his contract expires, while also negotiating for Lille striker Jonathan David, though some contractual issues remain unresolved.