The number of clubs who now want to sign Liam Delap as Chelsea target makes key demand

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Chelsea face a battle royal to sign Liam Delap from Premier League rivals Ipswich Town this summer.

Delap is one of Chelsea’s targets as the Blues look to bring in a new centre-forward for the 2025/26 season.

Enzo Maresca already has Nicolas Jackson, but the 23-year-old is the only out-and-out striker in the Italian’s squad with any real experience, while his form lately has not been great.

It is why Chelsea are targeting a striker, with Delap high on their list. The Ipswich player has impressed in the Premier League this season, scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares where Liam Delap wants to play next season amid Chelsea interest, ‘the player is really keen’…

Eleven clubs interested in Liam Delap

Chelsea want to sign Delap before July so that the Englishman can feature at the Club World Cup, but there is no guarantee that they end up with his signature.

According to talkSPORT, 10 other clubs, including rivals Manchester United, are also keen to recruit Delap this summer.

The same outlet also claims that the 22-year-old wants his next team to have Champions League football.

Chelsea are currently sixth in the Premier League table and have some tough games remaining so could easily miss out on qualification for Europe’s elite competition.

The club do have other options, but Delap appears to be the No.9 Maresca really wants. Earlier this month, it was reported that Maresca is demanding that Delap is brought in.

The two know each other well, with Maresca coaching Delap in Manchester City’s academy.

Journalist gives update on Chelsea’s striker search

According to journalist Ben Jacobs on X, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres are the other strikers on Chelsea’s shortlist.

Gyokeres would be a welcome addition at Stamford Bridge, with the Sweden international hitting truly ridiculous figures this season. In 47 appearances, he has scored an incredible 48 goals.

Gyokeres could cost less than Ekitike as well. It has been claimed that Eintracht value Ekitike at over £85m after his own exploits in the current campaign.