Chelsea’s quest to sign Liam Delap in the January transfer window has been dealt a blow with Ipswich Town refusing to sell their star striker.
After a superb start to the season, Enzo Maresca’s side have seen their faint title hopes all-but disappear after a disappointing run of form over the Christmas period.
Back-to-back defeats against Fulham and Ipswich have seen the Blues drop to fourth and ten points off table-toppers Liverpool.
With the January window now open, reports suggest that Chelsea may look to strenghen with additional attacking firepower a possibility.
Nicolas Jackson has impressed leading the line, but both Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix have flattered to deceive when given opportunities.
Ipswich striker Delap, who scored against Chelsea when the two sides met over Christmas, has been touted as a potential target having scored seven goals in 18 appeareances so far this season.
However, according to the BBC, the relegation-threatened side have no intention of selling their prized asset this month having only bought the 21-year-old last summer from Manchester City for £20million.
Liverpool had also been credited with interest in Delap who recently insisted that he wasn’t letting transfer speculation alter his focus.
‘I don’t really look at things like that. So, yes, I’m just focused on Ipswich,’ Delap told Suffolk News.
‘We are lucky to be playing in the Premier League. I think we’ve got a great opportunity here at Ipswich and we’re just trying to show our ability week in, week out, that’s a big plus for me.’
Additional reports have linked the Blues with a move for Brighton striker Ewan Ferguson but, simialrly to Delap, that deal may be difficult to complete this month.
Should the club desperately desire a move in January, they may target Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani who has been frozen out by Luis Enrique.
Chelsea have been linked with a six-month deal for the French international, but could face competition from Manchester United and Arsenal for the versatile forward’s signature.
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