Manchester City are likely to embark on a summer rebuild in wake of a season which has been akin to a changing of the guard.
The Citizens have already brought in a host of exciting young players, such as Abdukodir Khusanov, and more are likely to arrive in the summer.
One player Manchester City were linked with earlier this season was Liam Delap, who has been going from strength to strength at Ipswich Town.
City sold Delap to Ipswich last year for a deal worth up to £20million, but a buy-back clause was included, and a relegation release clause is also in place.
David Ornstein has now shared an update involving Delap and what City’s stance is in wake of his efforts this season.
David Ornstein doesn’t expect Liam Delap to join Manchester City
Ornstein hosted his latest Q&A on The Athletic on Thursday, with fans asking him a variety of questions about the goings-on at clubs in England and elsewhere.
One fan asked Ornstein whether he could provide some clarity on the Delap situation amid ‘conflicting stories’ in the press.
Ornstein replied by saying the “general understanding” is that City’s buy-back clause of £40million, but an Ipswich relegation would trigger a £30million release clause for any club.
Ornstein then reiterated what the likes of Ben Jacobs have said about City and Delap, namely that they no longer appear interested in signing him and, as such, he’s likely to go elsewhere.
“The general understanding is £40million buy-back clause for Man City and £30million release clause for any club in the event of Ipswich being relegated,” said Ornstein.
“I don’t think City are looking at re-signing Delap so if he leaves Portman Road I would expect the destination to be elsewhere.
“I reported in November that Chelsea and Manchester United were considering him at that remains the case.
“But there are plenty of other suitors and no decisions yet, so I wouldn’t expect an outcome for some time yet.”
How Liam Delap fared at Manchester City
Delap spent a decade at Derby County’s academy, winning both the Under-18 Premier League North title and the national title with the Rams.
In 2019, he linked up with City’s youth setup, and he helped his side win the U18 Premier League title in 2020 and two Premier League 2 titles with the Under-21s in 2021 and 2022.
Delap had three stints on loan while at City – at Stoke, Preston and Hull – before the club decided to cash in on him in 2024, albeit with a buy-back clause.
However, with City having signed Omar Marmoush in the January transfer window, they don’t have as much of a need for Delap as they might have done earlier this season.
