David Sullivan has received his biggest boost of the year as West Ham emerge as genuine contenders to sign a £30m star after a major Manchester United twist.
Things have been going pear-shaped for West Ham ever since their meeting with now Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim leaked to the press this time last year.
With David Moyes’ future up in the air, Hammers chief David Sullivan met with the Portuguese in London.
But West Ham have since admitted Amorim was far too expensive and risky as they employed free agent Julen Lopetegui instead.
There was no lack of irony when Lopetegui’s West Ham somehow beat Man United to see Erik ten Hag sacked earlier this season.
Sullivan and Amorim meet again – in the transfer market
And the Red Devils swiftly replaced the Dutchman with Amorim.
Both the Hammers and Manchester United are among the biggest underachievers across any top flight division on the planet this season, let alone the Premier League.
So big improvements need to be made in the forthcoming summer transfer window.
A key priority for Graham Potter and Amorim will be up front.
Both West Ham and Man United are in need of at least one – if not two – new strikers this summer.
That has inevitably put them on a collision course over targets.
But there have been major developments which are very much in West Ham’s favour.
The Irons and Manchester United are two of several Premier League clubs who have been heavily linked with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
Ex Man City Academy star Delap has a relegation release clause of just £30m this summer with Ipswich all but down.
Delap has been a name mentioned behind closed doors in the West Ham boardroom as well as the home of Hammers majority owner Sullivan.
Because David Sullivan’s sons won’t stop raving about Liam Delap to their billionaire dad.
West Ham become serious contender for Delap after Man United twist
Dave and Jack Sullivan are actually both on the board at West Ham, where new head of recruitment Kyle Macauley is looking to drive down the age of Potter’s squad.
Last month Hammers News exclusively revealed Manchester United had made it clear they want Delap too in the summer transfer window.
Many felt that would put paid to West Ham’s hopes.
West Ham’s board were tight-lipped about Liam Delap last week when new information about the powerful forward’s £30m relegation release clause was put to them.
Since then pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Liam Delap to join West Ham over Man United.
Delap gives Sullivan his best news of the year at West Ham
Now Sullivan has received the best news of the year as West Ham become a serious contender for the £30m star after a major Man United twist.
Firstly, The Mirror claims Delap is basing his next move on where he believes he will get the most game time, opportunities and good coaching.
The same report stated that put West Ham, Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United at the forefront for Delap.
Now in another exciting development for the Hammers, Delap has turned down Manchester United.
That’s according to The Daily Star, Delap will snub a move back to Manchester.
Delap wants guaranteed game time next season
And the Red Devils are already turning their attentions elsewhere, with Matheus Cunha and Victor Osimhen reportedly top of Amorim’s list.
With uncertainty over the future of Enzo Maresca, West Ham are jockeying nicely for position in the queue for Delap it would seem.
There is perhaps no other club – besides maybe Everton – where Delap will be guaranteed first choice starting striker every single week.
Not being in Europe hinders West Ham’s appeal, though.
So there would still be a tremendous amount of work to do to have any serious hope of landing Delap, even with Man United allegedly out of the running.
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