Championship club close in on signing of 52-goal Manchester City striker

Hull City look set to win the battle to sign Manchester City striker Liam Delap on loan for the 2023/24 campaign.

The 20 year-old, who enjoyed loan spells at both Stoke City and Preston North End last season, is closing in on a return to the Sky Bet Championship after strong interest from a number of clubs.

Liam Delap has made six first-team appearances for Manchester City and memorably scored on debut at the Etihad Stadium in a Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth in September 2020.

The England U20 international also featured in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League last year, playing against both Norwich City and Sporting Lisbon.

Delap scored four goals in 37 Sky Bet Championship appearances this season, switching from Stoke City to Preston North End during the January transfer window.

The young striker was one of a number of Manchester City academy prospects playing in the English second-tier during the campaign, with James McAtee, Tommy Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Aro Muric and Zack Steffen all at Championship clubs.

Delap now looks set to return to the Championship for next season, with Mike McGrath revealing that Hull City are close to sealing a season-long loan deal for the striker.

Hull have moved quickly to sign the 20 year-old forward as the club look to compete for promotion next season, having finished in the bottom half of the table.

Delap has been involved in 68 goals in 107 career appearances and enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2020, scoring 24 goals in 20 Premier League 2 appearances for the Manchester City EDS.

The Englishman signed for the Manchester City academy from Derby County as a 16 year-old in 2019 and in contracted to the Etihad Stadium until 2026.