The newly promoted Premier League club are targeting the Manchester City striker after his loan spell at Hull City

Manchester City striker Liam Delap has become a transfer target for newly promoted Premier League side Southampton.

Saints, who secured promotion to the Premier League with a play-off final victory over Leeds United at Wembley Stadium last month, have a squad full of former City Football Academy graduates.

Southampton have completed several transfers from Manchester City in the past, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis set to complete a £20m move to St Mary’s from the Sky Blues this summer following a clause in his loan deal the player.

Saints could also add another Manchester City star to their top-flight squad this summer, with striker Liam Delap being targeted by St Mary’s officials.

The 21-year-old spent the 2023/24 campaign at the MKM Stadium on a season-long loan with Hull City, where the striker enjoyed his third spell in the Sky Bet Championship following previous loans at both Stoke City and Preston North End. .

The England Under-21 international made 32 appearances for Hull last term and was directly involved in 10 Championship goals – scoring on eight occasions and assisting twice.

Delap is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2026 and has played six times for Manchester City’s first team, making his UEFA Champions League debut against Sporting Lisbon in 2022 and his Premier League debut against Leicester City.

Hull City have already declared their interest in signing Delap for a second consecutive season, with the Englishman unlikely to be given an opportunity under Pep Guardiola as Manchester City have both Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez as options.

Delap could still be playing Premier League football next season, with Jack Rosser reporting that the 21-year-old is “on the list” at Southampton, alongside Callum O’Hare and Ben Brereton Diaz.

The striker scored on his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side in 2020, scoring during a 2-1 win against AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup.