Champs said ‘no’ to £30m Delap bid
SOUTHAMPTON’S bid to sign rising Man City star Liam Delap was a whopping £30MILLION.
City’s prolific academy striker, 19, has been the subject of several summer inquiries from Premier League and Championship outfits.
Southampton, Brighton and Burnley head the queue chasing the son of former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap.
And Saints chief Ralph Hasenhuttl reckoned he was set to land his third City starlet in this window with the huge offer.
Southampton had already signed Etihad pair Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia for a combined total of £27m – but were willing to go significantly bigger to bag Delap.
Yet, despite coming to the table with a proposal of £20m up front plus £10m in future add-ons, the champions dismissed it after Pep Guardiola intervened to block a permanent transfer.
The City manager’s refusal to cash in is a massive boost for England Under-19s forward Delap.
Since making his senior debut in the Carabao Cup in September 2020 and the Premier League soon after, first-team chances have been in short supply.
The one-time Derby junior, who is on City’s current pre-season tour to the USA, could still end up with Saints on loan.
But whether he would be guaranteed a starting place every week at St Mary’s is an issue – as it is with Graham Potter’s Brighton.
All of which is paving the way for second-tier Burnley to make their move.
New Clarets manager Vincent Kompany knows Delap well from his days as City’s all-conquering skipper.
And the Belgian coach is convinced those ties give him the edge in the battle for one of the country’s brightest teenage talents.