Ipswich Town keen on 19-year-old Spanish striker amid £30m Liam Delap, Chelsea transfer deal
Chelsea Receive Major Boost in Liam Delap Pursuit as Striker Prefers Stamford Bridge – But Ipswich Want Marc Guiu on Loan in Return
Chelsea’s hopes of landing Liam Delap have been significantly boosted, with the 22-year-old striker reportedly favoring a move to Stamford Bridge over other Premier League suitors. However, Ipswich Town are seeking a loan deal for Chelsea forward Marc Guiu as part of the £30 million transfer.
Delap, who impressed in his debut Premier League season with 12 goals, is one of the most sought-after young strikers in England. Despite strong interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton, and Nottingham Forest, Chelsea now appear to be in pole position to sign him.
A key factor in Delap’s preference is believed to be Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the striker during their time at Manchester City’s youth setup. According to reports from Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs, Delap’s interest in Chelsea became clear while the Blues were playing in their Europa Conference League final on Wednesday.
Following Ipswich’s relegation, Delap’s release clause dropped to £30 million — a figure Chelsea are expected to trigger. That would mark a substantial profit for Ipswich, who signed him from Manchester City last year for £15 million plus £5 million in add-ons. Delap had spent the previous season on loan at Hull City in the Championship.
Ipswich Want Chelsea’s Marc Guiu on Loan in Return
With Delap’s departure looming, Ipswich have been lining up replacements and are now targeting Chelsea’s 19-year-old striker Marc Guiu for a loan move. Although this would be a separate transaction from the Delap deal, Ipswich hope to bring Guiu to Portman Road to bolster their attack.
Guiu, signed from Barcelona for £5 million last summer, has mainly featured in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League campaign, where he scored six goals in seven appearances. Despite limited domestic minutes, the 6’2″ striker remains highly rated, having developed at Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy.
However, the teenager is reportedly unsure about making the switch to East Anglia. His lack of experience in English league football raises questions about whether he would be the right fit for Ipswich, who are looking to bounce back to the Premier League.
Ipswich Weighing the Risk of Guiu Deal
While Guiu is an exciting prospect, Ipswich must consider whether he’s ready to step into a key role. Still, their recent recruitment has been effective, even amid relegation, and they’re not expected to let the potential loan deal for Guiu impact the Delap sale.
With Chelsea poised to meet Delap’s release clause, Ipswich are guaranteed a sizable return. And if Chelsea’s offer falls through, other clubs are still circling.
The real gamble lies in whether Guiu can meet the demands of the Championship — but Ipswich’s track record suggests they’re not afraid to take that chance.
