According to Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett on his personal Twitter account (below), Derby City youngster Liam Delap is on the verge of jumping ship and signing up with Premier League winners Manchester City.
Understand Liam Delap – son of ex #scfc def Rory – is close to agreeing a deal to sign for #mcfc Elite Development Squad.
The teenage striker is at #dcfc Academy, where his father is coach.
He won the golden boot for England’s u16s at the Aegean Tournament in Turkey in Jan.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) June 8, 2019
The 16-year-old, whose father Rory played for Derby County themselves before a £5.4million move to Southampton, is already making a name for himself in his own right.
The teenage centre-forward, who has featured for the young Rams seven times (one goal) in the Under-18 Premier League this season, is already collecting plaudits on the international stage for England’s Under-16s.
Huge congratulations to Liam Delap @dcfcacademy @England U16 who won The golden boot for top goal scorer in @MercedesBenz Aegean tournament ⚽️⚽️⚽️🐏👏#proud pic.twitter.com/YB3349F7uw
— Derby County Academy (@dcfcacademy) January 21, 2019
In the aforesaid Aegean tournament, the younger Delap scored four goals to take the golden Boot award. His first came in a 2-0 victory over Albania, this being followed up by a double in the Young Lions 5-1 win over Moldova. His fourth goal came in a 2-1 loss to hosts Turkey.
Such promise and potential is never going to go unnoticed and it hasn’t in this case with Delap’s exploits landing him on the radar of Premier League Champions Manchester City.
In the face of such interest, it is understandable that Derby County’s loss will soon become Manchester City’s gain. In moving to the Etihad, and Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, Liam Delap will be exposed to some of the best facilities and coaching in youth level football.
Whilst there is no confirmation that this deal is one to be considered a ‘done deal’, there is a degree of weight and gravitas behind it with it being reported by someone of the standing of Rob Dorsett.
