Update: Man United handed ‘brilliant’ Liam Delap transfer verdict as Chelsea point made News

Liam Delap has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer with Premier League rivals Chelsea also keen on a move for the forme Man City striker

Paul Merson believes Liam Delap would be a “brilliant” fit for Manchester United’s style of play – as he urged the 22-year-old to think carefully about leaving Ipswich Town this summer.

Delap, 22, has been heavily linked with moves to United and Chelsea recently after it was revealed that a clause in his Ipswich Town contract could see him leave Portman Road for as little as £30 million.

After firing 12 goals in his debut Premier League season, interest in the former Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City loanee is expected to be rife.

However, Merson believes Delap would be better suited to a move to Old Trafford instead of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder Merson said: “He’s a talent. Thirty million pounds is not a lot of money for a player of his age.

“He’s got to pick the right club to go to. For me, he plays with a lot of grass in front of him at Ipswich, where teams have a go, and he’s a good runner and makes good runs – but he’s got a lot of grass in front of him.

“He’s got to weigh up where he goes. I’ve seen players like Lukaku come to Chelsea and [when a team] sit ten men behind the ball, it’s hard because they haven’t got that guile. I don’t know if he’s got that one-two, flicking it around the corner and going again.

“I think he’s got to pick the right team for him. I think he needs to sit down with his agent and his dad and think where is the best place for him.

“It’s not always about the money. He’s a young kid, what game suits him, what team suits him for the game he plays and the chances he gets. For me, the team that ticked the box would be Aston Villa.

“It would be Aston Villa, big pitch, they play on the counter-attack as well, so teams come and have a go at Aston Villa. I just think with the bigger clubs – Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City – they [opponents] sit ten behind the ball.

“I think Manchester United would be a brilliant fit for him.”

Delap is under contract at Ipswich until 2029 after signing last summer, but the length of his deal is not expected to protect his side given the existence of his release clause.

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