Manchester City striker Liam Delap is on Graham Potter’s radar as the Seagulls are looking to make good use of the summer transfer window.
The 19-year-old is likely to be available on loan and could come into discussions as Manchester City look to negotiate a deal for Spanish wing-back Marc Cucurella, as per Mail Sport.
Delap has played 10 games for the Manchester City U23s and scored 8 goals whilst also providing 2 assists. He also scored his first professional goal for City in the EFL Cup.
After Manchester City failed to bring in a replacement for the outgoing Sergio Aguero, there was a chance for the Winchester-born striker to make good use of this opportunity. However, an injury-riddled campaign prevented him from doing so.
Pep Guardiola meanwhile, using his false-nine system, successfully defended their Premier League title whilst also being the league’s top scorers.
Brighton are interested in #ManCity’s Liam Delap. The 19-year-old is likely to be available on loan and could come into discussions as @ManCity look to negotiate a £40M deal for Marc Cucurella.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 24, 2022
[via @MailSport]
Graham Potter and Brighton to again favour youth with Liam Delap
Graham Potter has certainly favoured youth prospects ever since his appointment at Brighton and Hove Albion. The development of players such as Tariq Lamptey, Yves Bissouma, Moises Caicedo, Enock Mwepu, Marc Cucurella and Alexis Mac Allister has certainly been one to watch.
Moreover, the club’s transfer policy with Potter in charge has been nothing short of a revelation with the club looking much more towards young and unproven players and developing them into key players over the years.
Should Liam Delap stay at Man City?
Delap certainly has a lot of potential to improve with the limited game time he’s had with the club.
Manchester City have recently acquired Norwegian goal poacher Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and River Plate talent Julian Alvarez. Pep Guardiola has gone all out this summer and is looking to bring in Marc Cucurella from Brighton as well.
Haaland has been regarded by many as one of the most elite forwards alongside Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski in world football today. Moreover, Alvarez’s ability to play across the front three positions could make him a vital member of the squad next season.
This certainly isn’t good news for the Man City academy graduate however, a move to the Seagulls for more game time isn’t actually a bad option.
Brighton have been crying out for a centre-forward for a while now and with Welbeck primarily playing as a second striker and Neil Maupay not delivering, Delap could be the perfect fit.
Perhaps, a season away from his boyhood club could give Delap to showcase his ability and maybe return back to the Manchester City first team or explore opportunities elsewhere.