That is in stark contrast to 2022, when then manager Erik ten Hag delayed for months in a fruitless attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong and United ended up panicking at the end of the transfer window and spent £150m on Casemiro and Antony.

Liam Delap revealed that the prospect of winning trophies was a defining factor behind his decision to join Chelsea despite competing interest from the likes of Manchester United. Once it was known that Delap’s Ipswich Town contract included a bargain £30 million ($40.

Chelsea have signed striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town after activating his £30million release clause. The 22-year-old has agreed to a six-year contract, having decided on a move to Stamford Bridge over several other interested clubs.