Former Derby County academy hotshot Liam Delap has been linked with a return to the Rams this summer with Manchester City supposedly seeking a temporary home for the youngster.
According to Football League World, Derby alongside Stoke City and Bournemouth have emerged as potential suitors to strike a loan deal for the 18-year-old.
Delap swapped the Rams for the Citizens in 2019 for a reported fee of around £1m and has since gone on to make three appearances for the senior side.
The striker scored on his City debut, netting in the 18th minute as Pep Guardiola’s side dumped the Cherries out of the EFL Cup, his performance perhaps one of the reasons that Jonathan Woodgate is keen to add the teen to his squad next season.
The young Englishman has also been in fine form in the Premier League 2 this season, scoring 16 goals in 13 appearances – an extremely promising return.
A number of factors could come into play regarding which club Delap ends up at, specifically with his ties to Derby and Stoke.
His father, Rory Delap, of course represented both clubs, however, after spending ten years with the Rams academy and knowing a number of the first team squad already, could a return to his boyhood club be more suitable?
It is no surprise that there is Championship interest for the forward, but we shall have to wait a little while longer before his chosen destination is revealed.