Newcastle United can sign striker compared to Alan Shearer for £30m - set for St James' Park visit

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has been compared to Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer by a former Premier League star.

Delap joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer in a deal worth £20million and despite playing in a struggling team has netted 12 goals in 31 Premier League appearances. Ipswich are on the verge of being relegated back to the Championship but Delap is expected to remain in England’s top-flight next season.

That is because the 22-year-old has a £30m release clause that will become active once the Tractor Boys’ relegation is confirmed. Mail Online claimed last month that Manchester United have held discussions internally over a move, while Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool have been credited with an interest. Meanwhile, former club Man City have the option of a buyback clause.

Liam Delap likened to Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer

Ipswich visit St James’ Park next Saturday and ahead of the game, Delap has been likened to one of Newcastle’s greatest sons by former Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott.

“Liam Delap is a player who actually reminds me of a Newcastle player,” Walcott told the Premier League’s official YouTube channel. “(He reminds me of) Alan Shearer a little bit if I’m going to compare him to someone because of his stature, his hunger to bully defenders. He doesn’t care if you’re playing the top teams; we’ve seen that this year already.

“I think as well, the amount of goals he’s scored in a struggling Ipswich side at times shows his character that he actually believes he’s always going to have an opportunity. I think that’s one thing as well, giving him that opportunity, he takes things quick.

“People forget how powerful he is, and I like the fact that he’s a bit of an old school, bringing it back (kind of player).”

Will Newcastle United target a striker this summer?

Whether Newcastle attempt to bring in a striker this summer will likely depend largely on Callum Wilson’s future. Wilson is out of contract this summer and there has been no talk of an extension yet.

The 33-year-old has been a prolific scorer for United since joining from AFC Bournemouth for £20m in 2022, with his 47 goals in 108 appearances putting him third in the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorer chart.

However, it is staying fit that has been Wilson’s biggest challenge with the number nine restricted to just two starts in all competitions this term. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has previously warned it’d take a lot of money to replace Wilson with someone of similar quality.

“Yes, I totally agree,” Howe said in February. “And that's why Callum's a really valuable player for us. I think it seems like the art of goal-scoring and strikers, that they're diminishing. I don't see a huge number of strikers in world football that can do what Callum can do.

“The big thing for us is, can we keep him fit, keep him on the pitch? And then there's no doubting his ability.”

As reported by NewcastleWorld in January, Howe’s side are considering a move for Lille striker Jonathan David. The 25-year-old is out of contract this summer and isn’t expected to extend his five-year stay at the French side. Having scored 107 goals in 224 appearances during that time, David is set to become one of the most sought after free agents in world football.

But an added complication is any potential incoming would arrive as second choice striker behind Alexander Isak.

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