Chelsea have been reportedly targeting a new striker in the January transfer window in the face of goals drying up in recent weeks in the Premier League.
A lot of burden has been placed on Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson to find the net for the Blues this season, and both have posted impressive numbers.
However, the Senegal international has posted just one goal in his last eight games, and despite keeping the faith of Enzo Maresca a different option would be desirable.
Chelsea learn price tag for Liam Delap in January
The Blues have been linked to players from the Premier League and abroad to try and bring competition up top, and one player they have been reported to have a strong admiration for is Liam Delap.
Chelsea’s defenders will be more than aware of the talents of Delap after he dominated them when the two sides met in December, and his stats suggest he is enjoying a brilliant first top flight season.
| Liam Delap Premier League 24/25 | Total |
| Starts | 20 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Chances Created | 17 |
| Duels won | 94 |
Chelsea have reportedly been in contact twice for Delap already, and now Simon Phillips has stated that it would need a fee of more than £50m to sign the striker this summer.
He said on the Simon Phillips Substack: “And back to Liam Delap, who is the striker that Chelsea have worked hardest on so far this month to try and bring in now.
“Our sources say there has been contact all month and it continues – but Ipswich are still keen to hold onto Delap until the summer. It would take a big-ish offer for now (probably north of £50m), but it’s not impossible.”
A transfer fee that high likely means the Blues are going to need to sell in order to afford bringing in a player Maresca is notably a big fan of.
Chelsea can raise Delap funds by selling Christopher Nkunku
They could do this if they complete the sale of Christopher Nkunku, who seems to not be able to force himself into the manager’s thinking despite Jackson’s poor form.
This is despite being described as a ‘quality’ player by Nedum Onuoha earlier this season, as he argued for him to be starting more.
A number of top clubs around Europe are intrigued by the chance to sign the Frenchman. It was claimed earlier this month that Nkunku had agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich.
However, Chelsea are sticking to their valuation of wanting to receive more than the fee they signed for him, and this would easily cover any deal for Delap this month.
