Leeds Join Race for Chelsea Outcast

Leeds United, home to Bulgarian international Ilia Gruev, have reportedly joined the race to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap, according to The Sun. The forward is not in the plans of new Blues manager Xabi Alonso and has recently been excluded from the first-team squad, also losing the number 9 shirt he wore last season. Delap was signed from Ipswich last year for £30 million but endured a difficult, injury-plagued campaign, featuring in 41 matches, mostly from the bench, and scoring just two goals.

Sources from Stamford Bridge suggest Chelsea have slapped a £40 million price tag on him, but it currently seems unlikely that any interested club will agree to pay such a sum. Nottingham Forest and Everton have also shown interest in the player, but these teams are reportedly looking at a more realistic option of a loan deal with an option to buy under specific conditions. The player himself prefers to remain in the Premier League, and reports emerged days ago that he rejected an offer from Italian side Como.