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Manchester United target Ipswich Town's Liam Delap, Real Madrid 'confident' on Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer signing - Paper Round
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Updated 10/04/2025 at 09:40 GMT+1
Manchester United are reportedly keen to sign Liam Delap, with the Ipswich Town man likely available for £30 million this summer, but Chelsea may not be able to match United’s offer. Elsewhere, Newcastle United are looking to add a central defender to their squad, and Real Madrid are confident that they will land Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer.
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United chase Delap
Manchester United are monitoring Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who is available for ÂŁ30 million if his current club go down.
That would represent a bargain fee for the young forward, and many Premier League sides are reportedly interested.
The Mirror reports: "Manchester United target Liam Delap will see his release clause drop to ÂŁ30 million if Ipswich are relegated from the Premier League.
"Defeat at the weekend for the Tractor Boys left them 12 points from safety with an immediate return to the Championship looking all but certain.Â
"Several of their leading lights would likely move on with interest in Delap, who has scored 12 times this term, mounting.
"Delap has excelled since leaving Manchester City in a ÂŁ20m deal and he could be available to any suitor for just ÂŁ30m should Ipswich go down.Â
"United will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely with a striker high on their list of targets this summer."
Chelsea may struggle to land top striker
The Daily Mail believes that financial hardship at Chelsea may hamstring their chase for a top striker this summer.
With strikers often the most expensive position in the sport, Chelsea are operating within a strict salary budget.
The paper explains: "Missed amid the focus on Chelsea selling their women’s team to a sister company for a tidy ÂŁ198.7 million profit in their financial accounts was the stark decrease in wages.Â
"Trouble is, strikers are expensive. Not only in transfer fee but in the wages they can command, especially when so many at England’s elite level are currently engaged in the same search.
"This is not to say Chelsea would refuse to make an exception if they set their sights on the striker they perceived as perfect for their project.Â
"But it would appear initially they are hopeful of finding the ideal centre forward who will not only suit their playing style, but their paying structure without breaking the bank.
"Liam Delap is one of those very much on Chelsea’s radar, but as previously reported, they face fierce competition from Manchester United."
Newcastle want central defender
The Athletic confirms that Jamaal Lascelles has had his contract at Newcastle United extended for a year.
However, the club are still looking to sign another central defender this summer, even with Fabian Schar and Emil Krath also signing on for another season.
The website states: "Jamaal Lascelles has another 12 months to run on his contract beyond the end of the season, with the Newcastle United club captain given an unannounced extension last year.
"The 31-year-old has been sidelined since last March, having ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) during the 4-3 victory over West Ham United, and it is unclear whether he will be fit enough to return before the end of the present campaign.
"Eddie Howe values Lascelles’ leadership and has praised the defender’s contributions off the field, including during his injury absence.
"Despite Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth also signing 12-month contract extensions through until next summer, and Lascelles still set to be part of the defensive contingent heading into 2025/26, acquiring a right-sided centre-back remains a priority in the transfer market during the upcoming window."
Real Madrid 'confident' over Alexander-Arnold
The Times believes that while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are poised to stay at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave this summer.
Spanish side Real Madrid are expecting to land the England defender on a free transfer in the coming months.
The paper writes: "Mohamed Salah is closing in on an agreement with Liverpool to extend his contract and remain at Anfield.
"After a breakthrough in negotiations with Virgil van Dijk, the club’s captain, it is understood that there is a growing expectation that a new deal will also be struck with Salah.
"Both players are out of contract at the end of the season along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is wanted by Real Madrid.
"Liverpool have always been confident that Salah, 32, will continue his eight-year association with the club despite lengthy negotiations over the financial terms and length of an extension.
"Real Madrid are confident of recruiting Alexander-Arnold, the England right back, but must inform Liverpool if they do reach an agreement with the 26-year-old."
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