'That's private' - Chelsea sent clear Liam Delap transfer message ahead of summer transfer window

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has put doubt over Liam Delap moving away from the club this summer, with the manager saying that it’s still a ‘possibility’ that he remains at Portman Road.

are one of the clubs linked with an interest in the 22-year-old who has impressed in the this season. is keen to strengthen his attacking options this summer, and the Blues have a long-standing interest in Delap.

The England U21 international has scored 12 goals in 32 league appearances so far this season. His game time in the last couple of weeks has however been reduced due to a rib injury, meaning he’s only been able to make substitute appearances.

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Ipswich take on Newcastle United on Saturday, a game which could see their relegation back to the Championship confirmed. That relegation will activate a £30 million clause in the player’s contract.

Talking about Delap’s future in his pre-match press conference, McKenna said: “That's not where certainly our focus is. I don't think it's where Liam's focus is. His focus is on trying to get back to full health and get ready for Newcastle.

“It's a great game for him as it is for the rest of the boys never having played at that stadium before. I know he's really looking forward to it.

“Liam's in the same boat as everyone else. He's focused on the here and now, on the big games that we have and not too far in the future.

“If we put mental energy into that, if any player put mental energy into that, then it would be impossible to provide what we're going to need on Saturday.”

When it was suggested that a move to Chelsea or United has been accepted, McKenna added: “I don't know who it would be accepted by because it's not by myself or Ipswich.

“His mindset isn't there. Liam's focus is still here and finishing the season as strong.

“And, as I've said before, I think there's certainly a possibility that he's an Ipswich player next year. So, I don't think anyone's decided on anything in anyone's mind.

“Can Liam play for the biggest clubs in the country, the biggest clubs in the world? He certainly can, I fully believe that.

“He's already shown the impact he can have at Premier League level in a team that has been fighting for everything. And I think he can have an outstanding impact at this level.

“But he's also very young and he's playing his first season of Premier League football. He's not played a huge amount of minutes as a leading striker in a team before. And he's still learning and getting better all the time.

“So, what's right for Liam, what's right for Ipswich, all those factors will come into play in the summer and the right decision will be made.

“But he's happy and he's developing really well here. And he has the potential and I think he will in his career go on to do some really, really good things.”

When asked how likely it is that the striker stays with the club, he said: “That's for conversations with the club, myself, Liam, his people and his family. So, I think that's private.”