Manchester United may soon have the chance to sign the striker they had a deal 90 percent completed for last summer, and who they prioritised before landing back-up option, Benjamin Sesko.<\/p>\n
Liam Delap\u2019s former suitors \u2013 of which Man Utd<\/a> are one \u2013 are keeping a very close eye on developments at Stamford Bridge, with sources informing our insider, Graeme Bailey<\/a>, that the striker is effectively playing for his Chelsea<\/a> future\u00a0in the second half of the campaign.<\/p>\n Chelsea snapped up the 22\u2011year\u2011old from Ipswich Town in the summer after activating a clause worth around \u00a330million, and there was genuine optimism that Delap<\/a> would push his way into the starting XI and use the platform to force his way into England\u2019s World Cup plans.<\/p>\n But the season has unravelled in frustrating fashion. Delap suffered a hamstring injury in August during the home derby with Fulham, ruling him out for two months and leaving him chasing fitness and rhythm ever since.<\/p>\n His first goal did not arrive until January \u2013 ironically, also against Fulham \u2013 and he has struggled to build momentum, returning just one goal in 15 Premier League appearances.<\/p>\n We revealed earlier this week that Chelsea have reignited their interest in FC Porto sensation Samu Aghehowa<\/a>, and while The Blues are thrilled with the impact of summer signing Joao Pedro, there are growing concerns about the overall depth and reliability of their forward line.<\/p>\n Incoming striker Emmanuel Emegha\u00a0hopes to stake his claim, but nothing is guaranteed.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson, who is loaned to Bayern Munich but expected to return at season\u2019s end, is not viewed internally as a long\u2011term option, placing even more scrutiny on Delap\u2019s performances.<\/p>\n Sources have informed us that the remainder of the season will be crucial\u00a0in determining whether Delap is part of Chelsea\u2019s long\u2011term project.<\/p>\n The club insist publicly that he remains a key figure, but privately there is an acceptance that a Chelsea centre\u2011forward who isn\u2019t scoring will not keep that role indefinitely. Despite his struggles, Delap\u2019s market opportunities remain strong.<\/p>\n Man Utd, Newcastle and Everton\u00a0all pushed hard for his signature before his move to Stamford Bridge, and all three clubs are understood to be monitoring the situation closely should Chelsea decide to listen to offers. Brighton and Sunderland are also watching.<\/p>\n Of those listed, it\u2019s unquestionably Man Utd who are the ones to watch given the Red Devils fully intended to sign Delap prior to landing Benjamin Sesko instead.<\/p>\n A deal for Delap was \u201990 percent done\u2019<\/a> according to The Daily Mail back in October, and only Man Utd missing out on Champions League football after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham scuppered the move.<\/p>\n Delap placed great emphasis on UCL football when choosing his next club, and defeat to Spurs resulted in the frontman rejecting Man Utd in favour of Chelsea. It was never a case of Man Utd pulling the plug and turning to Sesko \u2013 Delap was always their No 1 striker target entering the summer window.<\/p>\n For now, the message from inside Chelsea is clear: Delap has time to put things right, but the pressure is on \u2013 and his future in west London may hinge on what he delivers between now and May.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Biggest transfer stories today \u2013 New Liverpool winger \/ Man Utd contact Juventus ace \/ Man City double deal<\/p>\n In other news,\u00a0The Athletic\u00a0have confirmed Liverpool will push to sign a top-class new winger in the summer transfer window, with\u00a0Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande among four options being firmly considered<\/a>.<\/p>\n Elsewhere,\u00a0Man Utd have\u00a0initiated contact with the representatives of Manuel Locatelli<\/a>\u00a0as they try to set up a summer deal.<\/p>\n Finally,\u00a0Man City haven\u2019t given up hope of convincing Pep Guardiola to stay for one more season and reports claim a sensational double deal that\u2019ll sting both Manchester United and Liverpool<\/a> could sway the Spaniard.<\/p>\n