Manchester City reportedly reject Southampton’s record-breaking bid for Liam Delap

According to various news outlets, Manchester City have rejected Southampton’s transfer bid for young forward Liam Delap, son of former Saint Rory.

The 19-year-old striker has emerged as a priority transfer target as Saints look to improve what is an impotent attacking threat.

But Manchester City, who have already sold Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia to Southampton over the summer transfer window, aren’t so keen on Delap leaving the Etihad on a permanent basis.

That’s despite Southampton reportedly putting in a transfer bid that would be worth up to £30million [H/T The Daily Star], which would comfortably be a club record for the South Coast club.

The Daily Star also says that is was City manager Pep Guardiola who vetoed the deal.

Delap has long been touted as a striker with big potential, but his first team playing time will be even more limited now than in previous seasons due to the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to City over the summer.

The England youth international has made six appearances for Guardiola’s City first team since making his debut in 2020.

Delap, who was born in Winchester while his dad was playing for Southampton, is said to be attracting interest from Championship side Burnley, now managed by former City captain Vincent Kompany, for a loan deal.