Pep Guardiola says Liam Delap is one of the most sought-after players at Manchester City.

But the manager appears to have dealt a blow to the teenage striker's many loan suitors.

Delap, son of former Carlisle United favourite Rory, is wanted by a string of Championship clubs.

But Guardiola, speaking in a press conference, suggested the 18-year-old would remain with City this season to further his development.

"He [is] maybe the most request[ed] player we have since we arrived here," Guardiola said.

"But we count on him. He's going to train with us.

"If [another] striker comes or doesn’t come. He will train with us all season.

News and Star: Liam Delap (photo: PA)Liam Delap (photo: PA)

“Him, Cole Palmer, James McAtee, Luke Mbete, Romeo Lavia. There are five or six guys who will be with us all season. The same process we have done with Tommy Doyle.

“It’s like Phil [Foden], when he arrived with us. (He) trained with us and played with the second team. It is the best way to help with their development.

“The problem with academies is the distance between their competition and the Premier League. It is too big. And it’s really difficult to promote them from here.

“That is why the best way for players we think have potential like Sam Edozie is for them to be with us.”

Delap was recently handed a new three-year deal at City after a prolific 2020/21 campaign when he fired the club to the Premier League 2 title.

The England Under-18 international has been coveted by a number of clubs including Derby, Preston, Stoke and West Brom.

“Liam Delap for me, for the club, is so important for the future,” Guardiola added.

“At the end of last season, we said we had to extend the contract.

Delap's dad Rory, from Great Corby, came through the ranks at Carlisle and starred for the Blues in the 1990s before going on to play at the top with Derby, Southampton, Sunderland and Stoke, as well as winning 11 Republic of Ireland caps.

He is now first-team coach at Stoke.