Manchester City are prepared to let Liam Delap leave in the next weeks. Been told Burnley asked for Delap on loan until end of the season, while Southampton are also interested but for permanent move, reports Fabrizio Romano.
It’s just a few months down the line and Manchester City are in a wealth of attacking options. The Premier League title holders finished the last season without a recognised centre forward, but have quickly turned that situation around by the arrival of attacking pair Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.
The era of Manchester City’s false nine system lasted about one and a half season, owing to Sergio Aguero’s fitness issues and Gabriel Jesus preference to play on the flanks. With Pep Guardiola not being able to land a deal for a striker last summer transfer window, rumour had it that academy star Liam Delap would be given the opportunity to lead the lines of Pep Guardiola’s attacking force.
Pep Guardiola became an admirer of the 19 year old after the striker scored a screamer against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on his senior debut match. The youngster went on to make six senior league appearances under the Spanish boss.
However, Liam Delap’s opportunity to seal his spot in Guardiola’s starting XI was thwarted by a long injury nightmare. The starlet ran through most of last season battling with injuries and fitness issues, making him not to perform at his best.
Manchester City is fully aware that the 41 goal capped player has a lot of growing to do before he can compete on all fronts in European competitions and are prepared to loan out the player ahead of the coming season.
With Burnley being interested in the English man on a season long loan, Mancity could have themselves a deal in a few days. Southampton are also interested in Delap but saw their request of a permanent deal snubbed by the Manchester City.
If Southampton are really interested in bringing Liam Delap to St. Mary’s ahead of Burnely, they should be able to dance to Manchester City’s tune.
Signed from Derby in 2018, the son of former Stoke player Rory scored 24 times in 20 Under-23 games last season, netted his first senior goal in a Carabao Cup third-round win over Bournemouth and made his Premier League bow.