Liam Delap backed for Premier League move to Chelsea rivals under new manager

Liam Delap has been tipped for a move to Fulham if Kieran McKenna takes over at Craven Cottage.

The Ipswich Town boss is interested in replacing Marco Silva in the dugout, talkSPORT understands.

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Silva has left the Cottagers after five years in charge to become Benfica manager.

McKenna is currently seen as Fulham’s No.1 target to succeed him, but has an £8million release clause in his Ipswich deal.

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talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook provided an update on their pursuit on Friday’s Breakfast show.

Joining Shebahn Aherne and Carlton Cole, he explained: “I think Kieran McKenna is their preferred choice, but not a cheap deal to do.

“He’s got an £8million release clause in his contract, but it’s interesting because if Fulham signed a striker for £8million, it wouldn’t be seen as a lot of money, but clubs they’re always reluctant to pay for managers.

“You think how important the managerial role is these days, that baffles me a little bit.”

He continued: “It’s a step up for him. It’s going to be another battle to keep Ipswich in the Premier League.

“You kind of see Fulham now as this established Premier League team.”

McKenna is fresh from guiding Ipswich back into the Premier League at the first attempt after finishing second in the Championship.

It represents his third promotion in four full seasons as manager at Portman Road.

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Delap on the move

If appointed as Fulham’s new manager, signing a striker could be amongst his priorities this summer, and Cole had the perfect name in mind.

He asked if this could see Delap move to Fulham, and Crook responded: “Very good question. Well, obviously Raul Jimenez has left.

“He’s in talks with Wolves, by the way a lot of their fans would welcome that return, so yes it [Delap to Fulham] could be a good shout.”

Admitting he was just being speculative, Cole added: “I think it’s a good shout. I’m just thinking outside the box!”

Jimenez will depart the club as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, loanee Jonah Kusi-Asare is set to return to parent club Bayern Munich, leaving Rodrigo Muniz as Fulham’s only senior centre-forward.

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A move across London for Delap would see him reunite with McKenna, who signed him for Ipswich in 2024.

The 23-year-old went on to score 12 goals in 37 Premier League appearances for the Tractor Boys despite their relegation.

However, he has failed to recapture that scoring form since moving to Chelsea last summer.

Delap has scored just three goals in 47 outings across all competitions for the Blues.

Having arrived for £30million on a deal until 2031 a year ago, the forward still has five years remaining on his current contract.