NafisaIpswich have allowed striker Liam Delap to consider his options for next season, Town boss Kieran McKenna has revealed.
The 22-year-old, who signed for Ipswich from Manchester City last summer, is anticipated to depart the Suffolk side following their drop back to the Sky Bet Championship after just one season in the Premier League.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been associated with a high-value bid for the England Under-21 international, who reportedly has a £30million relegation release clause in his deal.
Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich this season (Bradley Collyer/PA)
“Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he is entitled to do and we support him with that,” McKenna said at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s final Premier League match against West Ham.
“I think we have given him permission to do that this week. It’s a very important decision for his future.
“Of course there is a lot of interest – and rightly so. I think part of his week has been having some of those conversations.
“It looks more likely than not that he will move on this summer and he has interest from pretty much every club in the league, and I don’t think there are many clubs in the world who wouldn’t want to have him.
“(However) nothing is sorted, nothing is done or completed or even very, very, very close, so that process will take its course.”
McKenna continued: “We will be proud of the part that we have had in terms of Liam’s development and his contribution this season.
“If he stays with us, we will be thrilled, and if he moves on this summer, it will be a positive reflection for the club to have nurtured and sold a player at that sort of level and hopefully it will be a good step for him as well.”
Delap has netted 12 Premier League goals in 36 outings this season, but that wasn’t sufficient to help Ipswich avoid an immediate drop to the second tier.
McKenna, however, believes Delap consistently displayed full dedication to Town’s survival efforts.
“He has given everything to the cause and he is entitled to make a decision on what he thinks is best for the future,” the Ipswich boss said.
“I think the supporters will look back in time ahead with great fondness to some of his performances and some of the victories he was involved in.
“I really believe everyone will be following his career, if it isn’t at Ipswich, with the best of wishes.”
McKenna confirmed midfielder Massimo Luongo will be departing the club this summer at the conclusion of his contract.
Discussions are ongoing with defenders Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe regarding potential extensions to their stays at Portman Road next season.
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