Liam Delap’s £30m relegation release clause: Who wants to sign Ipswich Town striker?

Ipswich striker Liam Delap will be available for £30m this summer because of a relegation release clause, which will be triggered when his club inevitably returns to the Championship.

The 22-year-old is likely to move on, with interest from several Premier League sides after netting 12 goals in 33 games in all competitions in his first full season in the top flight.

Previously, multiple sources told BBC Sport that Delap was expected to be available for £40m in the summer – with his previous club Manchester City holding a ‘buy-back’ fee at that price.

However, sources at Ipswich have since confirmed to BBC Sport that the release clause value decreases by £10m upon relegation.

The Suffolk club lost 2-1 in a key relegation match against Wolves last weekend which has left them 12 points away from safety with only seven games left.

Manager Kieran McKenna accepted relegation “looks more than likely”.

Delap has delivered a series of impressive performances this season and his release clause looks like good value.

Paul MacDonald of FootballTransfers.com says Ipswich spent “significantly” above Delap’s market value of £6.5m last summer, which was another example of City “extracting maximum value for their excellent youth production line”.

He says the £30m release clause is about right for Delap’s current market value given his lack of European and senior international experience and the fact he has had one “breakout” season.

That is, however, balanced against his age and a “Premier League premium for English forwards”.

So which clubs could make a move for him in the summer?