According to Fabrizio Romano, Burnley are interested in signing Liam Delap from Manchester City, with Southampton also keen.
What’s the story?
Well, Vincent Kompany has already taken CJ Egan-Riley and Taylor Harwood-Bellis from the Etihad Stadium, and he is now planning to return to his old side for another young prospect.
However, the Belgian will face competition from Southampton, who have also benefitted from feeding off the Citizens this summer after signing Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia.
Romano believes Manchester City are prepared to let Delap leave on loan in the coming weeks, with a final decision on his destination set to be made in the next few days.
Interestingly, the Italian journalist adds that Burnley only want the 19-year-old on loan, whereas Southampton are actually interested in a permanent deal for the exciting teenager.
Interest in Delap comes after he impressively scored eight goals in just ten Premier League 2 appearances last season, while also providing two assists.
Burnley or Southampton could sign a gem from Manchester City
Whoever wins the race to sign Delap is in for a treat.
The England Under-19 international is a frightening prospect, who has scored 35 goals in just 36 appearances for Manchester City’s Under-23 side.
Additionally, the son of throw-in specialist Rory Delap has already made his Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup debuts under Pep Guardiola, so he must have something special.
Furthermore, Guardiola even said that Delap causes John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake plenty of problems in training.
The Spaniard revealed: “Every training session, against Aymeric, against Ruben, against John, Nathan, he fights, and most of the time he wins these duels, or breaks his nose or something like that.”
Manchester City paid £57m for Laporte, £47.5m for Stones and £41m for Ake, while Dias cost £65m, so the fact Delap can trouble £210.5m worth of talent bodes well for Kompany and Ralph Hasenhuttl as they aim to secure his signature.
Be sure to keep an eye on this saga, as Romano believes a final decision should be made within days.
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