Manchester City have rejected a £16 million bid from Southampton for Liam Delap, according to the Athletic.
The South Coast outfit have been long-term admirers of the striking sensation, but their latest approach has been rebuffed by the Premier League champions.
Delap signed a three-year contract extension with the club recently, but faces fierce competition for places in the first-team squad - leading to rumours concerning a move away.
This information confirms an earlier report by Sam Lee of the Athletic, who says City have made it clear that a permanent move for Delap remains ‘out of the question’.
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However, Pep Guardiola’s side will listen to potential loan offers as they are open to the prospect of the Winchester-born forward getting first-team minutes in the upcoming campaign.
Further details suggest that clubs in the Premier League and the Championship are eyeing the arrival of the starlet on loan.
Alongside Southampton, fellow Premier League side, Brighton and Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in the Championship have been heavily speculated as potential destinations.
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Since Delap’s arrival from Derby County in 2019, he has been touted as the next big thing.
A gifted striker, blessed with an imposing physique and an incredible eye for goal, the teenager has seemed tailor-made for Premier League football from day one.
The 19-year-old made the headlines in particular after a sublime strike against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup in 2020 - showcasing his prowess in front of goal.
While the Englishman’s ability has never been in question, his place in the City first-team certainly will be next season.
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The Premier League champions have meant business in the transfer window by making the statement attacking additions of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
In the former, the club now have a marksman in their ranks who many believe belongs amongst the upper echelon of strikers in world football, such as Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane.
Cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s finest goal-scorers during his time at Borussia Dortmund, Haaland is expected to be one of the firm favourites to take home the Premier League Golden Boot next term.
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While Alvarez’s display in the Sky Blues’ latest pre-season friendly against Club América was an indicator of his abilities as the archetypal Pep Guardiola frontman.
Capable of operating out wide as well, the Argentine is tipped to get a whole host of minutes under his belt in a variety of positions.
Keeping these factors in mind, it well and truly leaves Delap’s chances at becoming a first-team player at City in no man’s land.
As a result, the club have internally decided how to ensure one of their finest youngsters takes a step forward in the 2022/23 season.
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With Julian Alvarez still being a raw prospect, the logic in place may well be that in case he struggles to adapt to the Premier League, a more developed Liam Delap could pick up the slack after a successful loan stint.
Topics: Manchester City, Liam Delap, Southampton, Premier League
Srinivas Sadhanand