Where next for Liam Delap? Chelsea, Man City return and potential destinations for in-demand Ipswich Town hitman - ranked

Sure, there would be something romantic about returning to the club where it all began, but Delap would have to be realistic about his first-team chances if he decided to re-sign for the club he only officially left in the summer. Maybe a City comeback is in his future, but at this crucial stage in his development, it would be a backwards step to be playing second fiddle to the most prolific striker on the planet in Erling Haaland.

However, City could still have a say in Delap's next move; they are reported to have included a buy-back option in his £20m ($25m) transfer to Ipswich in July, as well as a 20 percent sell-on clause.

Or could Delap opt for the red side of Manchester? It would be a slap in the face for his former club, but United are said to be among the striker's admirers.

The thing is, this is a move that would almost certainly necessitate United cutting their losses on current centre-forwards Rasmus Hojlund and/or Joshua Zirkzee, who are aged 21 and 23 respectively and cost the club a combined £100m ($127m) without add-ons.

Given the arrival of Ruben Amorim as head coach, it feels more likely that the Red Devils will go after his prolific ex-Sporting CP charge Viktor Gyokeres, who is set to be available for a cut price in the summer.

Given the recent trend of English players heading overseas and having success in Europe, including big names like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Conor Gallagher, Delap might be tempted to try his luck away from the Premier League.

The 21-year-old has previously revealed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, who played in most of the continent's top leagues, and his game would probably be well suited to the Bundesliga, where defences are known for giving strikers more time and space.

However, given he has grabbed the attention of the 'Big Six' in England, Delap will surely be keen to be a regular for an elite Premier League club before considering a switch overseas.

Chelsea are predictably among the clubs believed to be actively interested in Delap, with the Blues developing a reputation for pursuing outstanding players under the age of 25 in recent years. Delap would obviously tick that box and could be the long-term solution to what has been a problem position at Stamford Bridge since Diego Costa departed in 2017, although in-form Nicolas Jackson might have something to say about that.

It's undeniable that Delap is cut from the same cloth as Costa and Didier Drogba, with his imposing 6'1 physique and aggressive approach belying his excellent technical ability. He has worked with Enzo Maresca before at City, too, and he may look to fellow City academy graduate Cole Palmer as proof that he can make the cut despite some fierce competition.

Of course, Delap doesn't necessarily need to move on. Indeed, staying may well to the benefit of his development, but it feels increasingly like a decision to remain would be contingent on Ipswich's Premier League survival.

Should his contributions help to keep the Tractor Boys up, then he might feel motivated to hang around at Portman Road for another season in the top flight as a guaranteed starter and key player.

That said, he would run the risk of his form dropping off and that golden opportunity to join an elite club therefore passing him by, for the time being at least. If Ipswich can somehow pull it off (they currently sit 18th), Delap will face a much more difficult decision in the summer.

Liverpool are yet to be linked to Delap in any serious way, but it would be no surprise if the Reds were among those to have scouted him of late.

Unlike some of their rivals, Arne Slot's side could actually be in need of a new striker come the summer; Darwin Nunez looks unlikely to ever become the prolific No.9 Liverpool had hoped for, and while his lack of goals has been offset by Mohamed Salah's presence, their Egyptian talisman's own future is very uncertain as he heads towards the end of his contract.

Delap could certainly match Nunez's intensity, and so far this season he has outscored the Uruguayan in a far weaker team. Don't be surprised if the Reds enter the picture soon as they prepare for a potential overhaul of their frontline.

It remains to be seen how long Mikel Arteta will persist with Kai Havertz as his main striker at Arsenal, and his interest must surely have been piqued by Delap's form at Ipswich. The Gunners are widely expected to be in the market for a new centre-forward in the summer, with Swedish pair Gyokeres and Alexander Isak regularly linked. Delap, though, would be a cheaper, intriguing alternative.

The Arsenal boss will know the 21-year-old well from their time together at City and will have a better understanding than most of his potential. He will know the prospect has the game intelligence to thrive in his system, especially with the elite service he would receive from the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

As much as they would be gambling on a player who is inexperienced at the very highest level, Arsenal have enough goals in the team that the pressure would be relatively low and the youngster could develop at his own pace. It's a risk that could pay off handsomely.

Delap has been touted as the natural successor to Kane for his country, and he could really lean into that moniker by joining the Bayern Munich man's former club Tottenham. Like the Spurs hero, the England Under-21 international is adept in the build-up around the box thanks to his dribbling ability, hold-up play and eye for a pass, and the signs are he has the ability to step into Kane's rather large shoes.

The problem is, usually frugal Tottenham spent £60m ($76m) in the summer on a striker with a similar profile in Dominic Solanke, but head coach Ange Postecoglou has admitted Spurs could sign another striker to support him, saying recently: "There's no doubt we need some bolstering in that front third. Dom [Solanke] coming in has been great, but again we can't overload him either. It's something we're aware of and need to plan for."

Delap could well fit the bill. This would arguably be the least trying step up to a top club, with expectations somewhat lower at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - but whether it would be the player's first choice is another question entirely.