The positive is, with the decision made, they can move on. That is in stark contrast to 2022, when then manager Erik ten Hag delayed for months in a fruitless attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong and United ended up panicking at the end of the transfer window and spent £150m on Casemiro and Antony.

Delap makes the switch after a £30million ($40m) release clause in his Ipswich contract became active following the team's relegation.

Forward Liam Delap has joined Chelsea on a six-year contract ahead of this month's Club World Cup, leaving Ipswich Town after they were relegated from the Premier League, the West London side said on Wednesday.