Anderlecht are said to be rivalling Preston North End for the potential loan signing of Manchester City striker Liam Delap this summer, as per a recent report by Belgian publication Walfoot.

The 18-year-old is certainly a wanted man this summer and has been linked in recent weeks with a potential loan to Preston North End and his former club Derby County.

Anderlecht are managed by former Man City captain Vincent Kompany and it appears that the Belgian outfit are looking to take advantage of their strong existing relationship with the Premier League champions by making a loan offer for the player.

Delap has made three senior appearances for City so far and has one goal to his name, which came against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on his first team debut.

Kompany's side previously had Lukas Nmecha on loan from City in a move which proved to be very successful, so therefore that could give them the advantage over the likes of Preston and Derby moving forwards.

Delap scored 24 goals in just 20 Premier League 2 games last season as his stock continues to rise.

The Verdict 

Preston have been in the market for a striker for quite some time now and it has been said that Delap has been one of their main targets.

It was always going to be tough to get the talented teenager to Deepdale, however it now appears that a major spanner has been thrown in the works by Kompany and Anderlecht.

City would surely be more keen to send the player abroad to play with a club that they have a great relationship with, so therefore North End may need to look elsewhere.

There are still a good few weeks left of the window but the race is certainly becoming more desperate to bring in a new frontman to the club.