Chelsea have now ‘reopened talks’ with key transfer target, they want him in before Club World Cup

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Chelsea are back in discussions about signing a player they want through the building before the Club World Cup begins.

While most sides will be resting over the summer, Chelsea will be competing in the Club World Cup, which has been expanded to a 32-team tournament. The club competition will take place from mid-June to mid-July.

It’s previously been reported that Chelsea could attempt to make some early signings before the Club World Cup begins to boost their squad.

Interestingly, Chelsea signing Estevao Willian will play for Palmeiras at the summer tournament before his move to Stamford Bridge becomes official. Estevao admitted he would celebrate scoring against Chelsea, even though he’s on his way to West London in 2025.

• READ MORE: Chelsea legend John Terry delivers his verdict on the Club World Cup tournament

Chelsea in discussions again about Ipswich Town star Liam Delap

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, 22, has been regularly mentioned as a Chelsea target in the transfer rumour mill for several months.

Chelsea approached Delap’s agents in January on more than one occasion, but the Englishman stayed put at Portman Road.

Respected journalist Simon Phillips has now reported via Substack on Thursday that Chelsea have ‘reopened talks’ with the agents of Delap because he’s a key striker target ahead of the summer.

It is explained that Chelsea’s contact with Delap’s representatives paused from January to late March/early April, but ‘formal talks’ are now underway again. Apparently, Enzo Maresca’s side want to bring the young centre-forward to the club before the Club World Cup begins in mid-June.

Phillips adds that Chelsea have the budget to sign at least one new striker before selling anyone, which they hope will give them an advantage in the Delap transfer race.

The Daily Mail recently claimed that Delap’s release clause will fall as low as £30m if they’re relegated from the Premier League this season, which is looking increasingly likely. Chelsea could face competition from Manchester United for the player’s signature, though.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
16	West HamWest Ham	31	9	8	14	35	52	-17	35
17	WolvesWolves	31	9	5	17	43	59	-16	32
18	IpswichIpswich	31	4	8	19	31	65	-34	20
19	LeicesterLeicester	31	4	5	22	25	70	-45	17
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	31	2	4	25	23	74	-51	10

It’s previously been claimed that Delap is intrigued by the idea of joining Chelsea, where he would join up with plenty of familiar faces. He played alongside Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia in Manchester City’s academy as a youngster, plus starred with Noni Madueke for England’s Under-21s.

Liam Delap vs Nicolas Jackson

Even though 23-year-old Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is a talented player, it’s quite obvious he needs better cover and competition at the top end of the pitch.

Delap measures up quite well when you compare his season statistics with Jackson. The fact he’s impressing in such a poor Ipswich side makes it even better, too.

If Delap and Jackson are fighting it out for Chelsea’s striker position next season, we’d be pretty pleased with that. They’re both two talented young attackers that should only keep getting better.

Chelsea are super excited by Delap because they think he can follow a ‘similar trajectory’ to Cole Palmer if he joins them.