Mikel Merino has been impressing as a makeshift striker for the Gunners – even scoring a superb goal against Real Madrid – but Mikel Arteta needs to find a natural option for the role to compete against Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
In regards to Manchester United, Ruben Amorim desperately needs a talismanic striker to lead the line, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scoring just six Premier League goals combined this season.
The Red Devils have approached Liam Delap – according to the Daily Star – but the Ipswich Town No.19 is leaning towards Arsenal.
Liam Delap prefers Arsenal to Manchester United
The Daily Star now state that the England U21 international has concerns about joining Manchester United – with the Red Devils currently sitting 14th in the Premier League.
Delap – who has been called a “top striker” by Ange Postecoglou – is believed to prefer a move to Arsenal instead, largely due to the fact the Gunners can offer him European football next season.
The 22-year-old has impressed tremendously in a struggling Ipswich Town side, who sit 18th and are set to be relegated, scoring 12 goals in 31 Premier League appearances.
Delap – who Manchester United have approached, as TBR Football understand – will have a £30m release clause activated in his contract once the Tractor Boys officially go down.
The Daily Star add that Amorim opted for the son of Rory Delap after being told by Sir Jim Ratcliffe that Viktor Gyokeres is too expensive at £80m – so talk of him preferring to join Arsenal will come as a real setback at Old Trafford.
Chelsea cannot be ruled out
Chelsea might not be able to offer the Ipswich Town talisman UEFA Champions League football next season either, but the Blues cannot be ruled out of the race by any means, given the presence of Enzo Maresca.
Delap worked with Maresca at Manchester City – impressively scoring 27 goals in 22 games under the Italian within the City Football Academy.
Therefore, the Chelsea boss clearly knows how to get the best out of the Winchester-born striker, and this connection could prove decisive come the summer.
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