According to The Boot Room, Newcastle United are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap this summer.
Newcastle failed to add any new signings to their squad over the January transfer window but are expected to have a huge summer in recruitment due to the potential to qualify for European football once again.
It has been almost two years since the Magpies did the unthinkable by qualifying for Champions League football with a fourth-place Premier League finish in the 2022/23 season for the first time in two decades.
Now they are in a great position to qualify once again for the prestigious European competition, as they currently match Manchester City in fourth for points and a potential fifth spot is opening up for English clubs due to the success of Premier League clubs across Europe.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell did manage to get some outstanding business done with outgoings during the winter window, offloading Miguel Almiron for a reported £8m and Lloyd Kelly, who joined Juventus on a half-season loan with a £20m obligation to buy.
This boost to transfer funds going into the summer has set huge expectations for a squad refresh ahead of next season, with players like Callum Wilson also out of contract in July.
Depth added in the attacking threat and defence are key areas expected to be prioritised when the transfer window does reopen at the end of this season, with Newcastle already being linked to PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.
Now The Boot Room has revealed that Newcastle are one of the clubs interested in Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap, but will face competition from Carabao Cup final opponents Liverpool for the talented youngster’s signature.
It is further noted that Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Aston Villa are interested in the player, with the Blues leading the chase at this present time.
Football Insider have also reported this week that Newcastle and any other interested parties would need to cough up a whopping £40m to sign the young attacker this summer from the Tractor Boys.
Should Newcastle sign Liam Delap?
Delap – who was signed from Manchester City for £15m by Ipswich – has enjoyed an impressive season with the newly promoted side and despite their struggles has been an outstanding performer.
Over 27 Premier League appearances, the 22-year-old – hailed a “monster” by Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer – has scored ten goals and registered two assists, as well as averaging two shots on goal, 1.8 ball recoveries and 0.7 key passes per game.
The talented striker has outscored some of his highly-rated peers in the league this season, with more goals than Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, which is an impressive feat for his first season of first-team football in the top flight.
The signing of a centre-forward is not the biggest priority for Newcastle at this moment in time, but if Wilson does not extend his stay on Tyneside it will be crucial to add depth to relieve Alexander Isak of the pressure upfront.
If the Magpies do qualify for Europe they will be playing a lot more football in multiple competitions, so having a young striker that can rotate with and push Isak for the position would be ideal.
