Chelsea want 22yo striker to play in Club World Cup

Chelsea will reportedly ask Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap to withdraw from Euro Under-21 duty with England.

The Blues are on the verge of signing the 22-year-old. They have agreed to meet his £30 million release clause and he will undergo his medical on Monday.

Delap initially planned to report for Euro Under-21 duty after the transfer, but Chelsea are determined to keep him for the Club World Cup instead.

The Manchester City graduate is desperate to play for the Young Lions, but he is expected to request his withdrawal from the European tournament.

Aside from Delap, the west London giants are keen on landing another centre-forward. Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike is the next target.

The German outfit want a package of around £84 million, but the Blues remain hopeful of landing his services for a reduced fee of £60 million.

Chelsea are expected to make an official offer in the coming days. Ekitike has already given the green light for a potential move to London.