Liam Delap Next Club Odds: After Ipswich Town

Man United are in desperate need of a centre forward this summer, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund nowhere near giving them enough.

With their current financial position, they're not in a position to go and drop £80m plus on Ruben Amorim's former star Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting, which means they will be looking at cheaper options. Step forward Delap. 

Delap would definitely give United more in attack than their current options, but the desire of European football could be an issue for them, depending on how their Europa League campaign ends.

There is then the matter of it being Man United. Whilst Old Trafford used to be the glamour move, it is no longer that. It is fast becoming a graveyard for potential, and because of the history, the pressure on leading the line is insane.

Based on his performances for a struggling side this season, Delap might be able to deliver in that environment, but anyone giving him advice would surely steer him clear of such a move; it's not like his options are limited.

Chelsea are right in the mix at the top of the betting to sign Delap this summer. The former Man City man has a connection to Chelsea having played under Enzo Maresca in the City youth setup, and whilst Maresca played down links in the build-up to Chelsea's match against Ipswich recently, his appreciation of Delap was clear for all to see. 

With centre forward a position of concern for Chelsea this year, combined with their recruitment policy of targeting young players with high ceilings, Delap could fit the bill.

Whether the player will want a move to Chelsea, though, remains to be seen. On the surface, it is a fit that works with the Ipswich man known to prefer a move to a big club that is qualified for European competition next season. 

The question marks arise when you consider styles of play and whether or not Chelsea's tactical set up - and, more importantly, how opposition set up against them - would get the most out of his strengths.

We're not sure the two parties are a great fit, but that hasn't stopped the Chelsea hierarchy from making moves in the recent past. 

Nottingham Forest are having the Premier League season of their life right now, with a Champions League spot a very real possibility for them. Working on the assumptionthat they secure either that or Europa League football for next season, they could be seen as a great stepping stone for Delap. 

For Forest, European competition or not, next season, they need to add options to their attack. Chris Wood has been a sensation but a) he's going to be 34-years-old come Christmas and b) Taiwo Awoniyi is his backup and boasts only two goals in all competitions this season.

Delap would give them an excellent option to dovetail with Wood, especially considering the physical attributes he possesses. 

One turn off Delap could have over a potential move to the City Ground, though is centred around his England ambitions.

Someone like Morgan Gibbs-White was, whilst eventually called up, overlooked initially in March. Could that be a factor in Delap's thinking ahead of next summer's World Cup? 

On the surface fans might look at a link between Newcastle and Delap and laugh it off given Alexander Isak is "the man" at St James' Park but don't be so sure. From a value perspective, this could be a good wager. 

We are not sold that Isak is destined to move on this summer, but Newcastle desperately lack support for him with Callum Wilson not getting any younger and having a patchy fitness record, at best.

That becomes even more of an issue if, as is looking likely, they qualify for the Champions League next season. Having Delap in the squad would be an improvement of depth and without breaking the bank too, which is something Newcastle have to be careful of.

From a fit perspective, you feel the Gallowgate end would love Delap. The dying breed of an old-school number nine, in Newcastle black and white? A certain Alan Shearer has certainly talked Delap up quite a few times this season too. 

The bookies aren't ruling out a Delap stay at Portman Road. As of a couple of weeks ago, nor was Kieran McKenna. We are going down and, even in a free market, Delap would have been close to impossible to keep hold of.

With a £30m release clause though, 15 or so Premier League clubs should be putting the feelers out with Delap's representatives.