Liam Delap’s Near Transfer to Manchester United Before Joining Chelsea

Chelsea’s forward, Liam Delap, was on the verge of transferring to Manchester United before ultimately deciding to sign with Chelsea this summer.

Delap’s Motivation for Choosing Chelsea

Delap disclosed earlier this season that his decision to join Chelsea stemmed from his ambition to secure trophies, especially considering Manchester United’s diminished prospects this season.

“I was eager to be part of a team that wins trophies. After my discussions with the club, it was clear everyone aimed to reclaim that top position, backed by the quality of the squad we have,” he stated. “The drive and determination to keep winning trophies and restore the club to its rightful place is our primary goal.”

Missed Opportunity for Manchester United

However, the Daily Mail reports that Delap’s transfer to Manchester United was “90 percent finalized” before Chelsea intervened and successfully acquired him, a fact that may disappoint many United fans.

Delap had a £30 million release clause that attracted numerous clubs willing to pay the fee, but it was Chelsea who eventually secured his services, having celebrated their victory in the Club World Cup over the summer.

In response, Manchester United invested £74 million to bring in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig as a replacement for Delap. So far this season, Sesko has made eight appearances and scored two goals, which is two more than Delap has tallied, as the latter is currently recovering from a significant injury.