By Gabriel Agbonlahor

29th Jul, 2022 | 8:11pm

Man City backed to green light Liam Delap transfer after £16m bid - pundit

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Man City should only loan Liam Delap this summer despite a big-money bid from Southampton.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, backed the 19-year-old’s stock to rise “even more” with more first-team football this season.

According to The Athletic (23 July), Man City have rejected a £16m bid from Southampton for Delap amid loan interest.

Championship club Burnley are reportedly one of the sides interested in taking the youngster temporarily, with manager Vincent Kompany looking to raid his former club.

Football Insider revealed on Thursday (28 July) that Man City have given the green light to James McAtee, 19, going out on loan this summer amid interest from multiple Premier League and Championship clubs.

Agbonlahor has backed the Citizens to take a similar stance with Delap and reject any further permanent bids.

“It’s difficult because there are top, top players ahead of him at City,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“But they like the young players at City. Delap, Palmer, McAtee, they’re top young players. They’re only going to go from strength to strength in the coming years.

“I feel that Man City would rather keep them and integrate them into the first-team with the League Cup games and some other competitions.

“I’d rather a loan if I were City. He might just improve even more with a season away and his stock rises even more.”

Southampton have already raided Man City for youth talents Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia this summer.

Delap has made just six senior appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, scoring once.

In other news, expert can’t believe Bernardo Silva transfer news amid “amazing” Man City claim.