Pep Guardiola confirms Liam Delap is staying at Manchester City amid West Brom loan reports
Pep Guardiola has confirmed reported West Brom target Liam Delap will be staying at Manchester City for the 2021/22 campaign.
The Express & Star claimed earlier in August [05/08/21] that West Brom would be interested in signing Delap if the 18-year-old striker was made available on loan this summer.
However, Guardiola has seemingly ruled out any exit for the Winchester-born attacker.
“Liam Delap for me, for the club, is so important for the future,” Guardiola told the Manchester City club website.
“At the end of last season, we said we had to extend the contract.
“He is going to train with us, if a striker comes or doesn’t come. He will train with us all season.
“Him, Cole Palmer, James McAtee, Luke Mbete, Romeo Lavia. There are five or six guys who will be with us all season.”
Onto the next one
Delap looks to have been one of two main transfer targets for the centre-forward role. [Joseph Masi, Express and Star]
That’s no surprise given the prolific 2020/21 campaign he enjoyed with the Manchester City Under-23s in the Premier League 2.
He scored 24 goals in 20 matches to fire the Citizens to the title and looks set to continue his development in the first team this season.
That should mean Albion focus their attention onto their other main target, USA international Daryl Dike.
The 21-year-old was a big hit on loan at Barnsley under Valerien Ismael last season, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances, and could be available to sign from MLS side Orlando City once again.
Albion have enjoyed a superb start to the season under Ismael, winning three out of the first four Championship matches and scoring 11 goals, but it could be a major mistake not to sign a striker after the summer departures of Charlie Austin, Hal Robson-Kanu and Mbate Diagne.
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