Chelsea ‘open to offers’ for £40m star as Premier League rival considers transfer bid | Football

Chelsea will be willing to listen to offers for striker Liam Delap in the summer transfer window, with Newcastle United interested in a deal, according to reports.

Newcastle were one of several clubs interested in signing Delap last season after an impressive breakthrough season in the Premier League at Ipswich Town.

Manchester United also pursued a deal for the striker, but Delap was keen to join Chelsea, moving to west London in a deal worth £40million.

However, it has proved a difficult first season for Delap at Stamford Bridge, with injuries and the form of Joao Pedro limiting his minutes throughout the campaign.

The 22-year-old has started just two Premier League games since the beginning of 2026, and has scored just two goals in all competitions throughout the entire season.

And with Nicolas Jackson seemingly set to return to Chelsea in the summer after his loan at Bayern Munich, Delap’s opportunities for regular minutes could be hampered further.

Delap is under contract at Chelsea until 2031, but talkSPORT reports that the Blues will already be open to offers for the striker when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

And it is said that Newcastle could reignite their interest in Delap as they look to bolster Eddie Howe’s options in attack.

After losing Alexander Isak in a record-breaking move to Liverpool, the Magpies moved to bring in Yoanne Wissa and Nick Woltemade to replace the Swede.

Woltemade started brightly at St James’ Park but has scored only once in 2026, with Howe even resorting to playing the German deeper in central midfield.

Wissa, meanwhile, endured an injury-affected start to the season and has scored just three times in all competitions this campaign.

Despite speculation over his future at Chelsea, Liam Rosenior has thrown his support behind Delap and backed the young striker to only get better next season.

‘If you look at most players’ careers, after they have joined a club, it’s the second season they really take off,’ the Chelsea head coach said last month.

‘For Liam, he’s had some really, really good performances, but also his rhythm has been interrupted by injury. I’m really happy with Joao and really happy with Liam.’

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