Euro giants join Chelsea in Liam Delap chase as Ipswich boss addresses transfer clause

Juventus are eyeing Ipswich striker Liam Delap as a potential replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.

The Old Lady remain determined to sign their Serbian frontman to a new, improved contract. His current contract expires in the summer of 2026, but so far talks about an extension have not borne fruit.

However, Juve are drawing up contingency plans in case an agreement cannot be reached, and the Italian giants are big admirers of ex-Manchester City youth star Delap. So much so that they sent scouts to Portman Road last weekend to see the 21-year-old in real life against Manchester United.

If Vlahovic fails to agree a new contract at the end of the season, he could be sold next summer to avoid any risk of losing the former Fiorentina marksman on a free transfer.

Chelsea and United are also monitoring Delap's progress, while City have a buy-back clause and also negotiated a 20 percent sell-on when they sold the forward to Ipswich for £20 million in July.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca and co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields both know Delap from their time at City. Earlier this week, Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna poured cold water on the debate surrounding the striker's future, particularly City's buy-back clause.

He said: “It's not something I'm aware of or interested in, to be honest. I think this is a question for other people and for [chairman] Mark Aston. My full focus is on this season and, as far as Liam is concerned, trying to help him continue to improve. I know Liam's full focus is here trying to help the team.

“He's had a good start to the season but we have to remember it's still a very early stage for him. This is really his first season regularly starting at number nine. Last year he played a lot out of the side at Hull , played as a wide striker in some previous loan moves in the Championship.

“So this is his first season where he's doing it week in, week out, maybe twice a week, and he's doing it at Premier League level. It's positive that he's doing well, but it's still very early. focus, my focus, our focus is to keep trying to improve.”