Available for just £30m - Newcastle United can sign dream Alexander Isak strike partner
Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap will reportedly be available for £30million this summer - putting Premier League clubs on red alert.
That is dependent on the Tractor Boys being relegated at the end of the campaign. As it stands, Ipswich - promoted only last year - are 12 points adrift with seven games remaining.
Manchester City academy graduate Delap - son of former Stoke City midfielder Rory - joined Ipswich for £20million on a five-year contract last summer. A successful loan spell at Hull City inspired Ipswich to take a punt on the 22-year-old ahead of their Premier League return.
Having represented England at several youth levels, Delap has bagged 12 top-flight goals this season to enhance his reputation. A breakout campaign has resulted in interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Click here to join NewcastleWorld's dedicated NUFC WhatsApp channel for news videos and voice notes. CLICK THE FOR NOTIFICATIONS.
Newcastle have also been rumoured to be keeping tabs on the situation as Eddie Howe contends with a striker dilemma. While Alexander Isak remains the club’s undisputed first choice, questions about Callum Wilson’s long-term future have emerged.
The Toon No.9 turned 33 in February and has a chequered injury history. William Osula is also on the books but has yet to establish himself in Howe’s starting line-up.
The Guardian now report Delap as being available for a cut-price fee providing Ipswich succumb to relegation. A modest £30million fee would not dent a significant hole in Newcastle’s transfer budget but he may favour guaranteed first-team opportunities elsewhere.
Man City are understood to have a 20 per cent sell-on clause as part of any deal - dealing a further blow to Ipswich. A buyback option also exists but, with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush at the Etihad, activating that appears unlikely.
Newcastle United legend a fan of Liam Delap transfer links
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson has backed a possible move for the striker. He told the BBC: “I think for that type of money he would be. Nowadays, £30m isn't a great deal of money.
"The only problem is there will be other people looking at him as well. We wouldn't be the only ones really interested in him and then you start getting yourselves into a bidding war. He does fall into the right category though. He is young and homegrown, to a degree, so he ticks a lot of boxes.
"But is he going to be a regular starter with Alexander Isak being here? Eddie Howe isn't going to play two up front but he would be ideal backup, especially if they don't renew Callum Wilson's contract and they get rid of him.
"Isak is untouchable at this moment in time. I would say he is probably the best striker in Europe at the moment. He has amassed 20 goals again this season, that is two seasons on the bounce now, which is a very difficult thing to do.
"So it comes down to whether Delap would be happy to come here and be second fiddle because I don't think Eddie Howe would change a system that has worked very well for him.
"But Delap does give you that different option. He likes to come short, he has a physical presence and he doesn't mind the physical aspect of the game - so I think he is a different type of player to Isak."