It has been a very productive season so far for former Manchester City striker Liam Delap.
The youngster left the Etihad Stadium in the summer to join the Tractor Boys in a transfer deal that could reach as much as £20 million.
Liam Delap had struggled to force his way into City’s first-team, making just six appearances.
He had a number of loan spells with Championship clubs, and it was then decided in the last window that he should move on permanently.
And Ipswich Town have benefitted immensely so far, with Delap scoring six goals in 13 appearances. Kieran McKenna’s side are in the relegation zone, but level on points with Wolves in 17th. Without Delap’s goals, their position wouldn’t be as encouraging.
McKenna spoke about Delap today at his press conference, and was asked about the buy-back clause Manchester City reportedly have over the striker.
Kieran McKenna says he’s not ‘aware of’ or ‘interested’ in Liam Delap buy-back clause
It’s been suggested that Manchester City negotiated a buy-back clause over Delap that is worth around £30 million.
McKenna was asked about the supposed clause today, ahead of his side’s game with Nottingham Forest.
He gave a somewhat surprising answer.
He said: “It’s not anything I’m aware of or interested in to be honest. I think that’s a question for other people and for (chairman) Mark Ashton.”
McKenna then went on to rave about Delap and what a big impact he’s had in his first season in the Premier League.
“My full focus is on this season and, with regards to Liam, trying to help him to continue to improve,” he added. “I know Liam’s full focus is here and trying to help the team.
“He’s had a good start to the season, but we have to remember that it’s very early stages for him. This is really his first season starting regularly as a number nine. He played off the side a lot of times last year at Hull, played as a wide striker in some earlier Championship loan moves. So this is his first season doing it week-in, week-out, maybe doing it two times a week, and he’s doing it at Premier League level.”
A strange response from McKenna about Delap
It seems a little odd that McKenna wouldn’t actually know whether his star striker has a buy-back clause in his contract.
You would think he’d know, or want to know, about something like that, given City could come in at any moment and trigger it.
| Liam Delap for Ipswich 2024/25 |
| Appearances – 13 |
| Minutes played – 887 |
| Goals – 6 |
| Appearances – 1 |
But luckily for Ipswich, it sounds as though Manchester City don’t plan to use their buy-back clause over Delap. Not just yet anyway.
City probably also don’t want to be seen paying to re-sign a player they allowed to leave only a matter of months ago. No matter how well he’s doing right now.
That said, Ian Wright suggested this week that Delap is the best player in the Premier League on current form, and many fans would love to see Erling Haaland have an actual understudy.
