Liam Delap is poised to move out on loan to Championship outfit Stoke City. The highly-rated Manchester City forward will join the Potters on a season-long placement aimed at enhancing his development.
There will be a familiar face at Stoke too, with Delap's father Rory on the coaching staff at the bet365 Stadium. The arrival of marquee signing Erling Haaland as well as Julian Alvarez this summer has meant Delap's chances of first team action this season have diminished.
But the move to the Potteries is seen very much as a temporary move. There is no clause for the deal to be made permanent and indeed it was only last year that Delap signed a new contract that ties him down to the Etihad until the summer of 2026. Read more : City have quietly solved two transfer issues Speaking earlier this year, following his return to the first team after a difficult spell on the sidelines City chief Pep Guardiola showed just how highly he rates the 19-year-old saying: "Liam last season grew up a lot especially with (under-23 coach) Enzo Maresca helping him to develop.
He is a type of striker we don’t have, a killer, typical British striker. He's a special striker we don’t have, a lovely guy, fighter, every training session, every time he fights and wins the duels or break his nose.