Eddie Howe on £30m Newcastle target Liam Delap - Interesting comments
Just yesterday, The Telegraph reported that Newcastle United plan to battle Manchester United for the signature of Ipswich striker Liam Delap this summer.
He has a £30m release clause in his deal and has been the shining light in a tough campaign for the Tractor Boys, scoring 12 goals in the Premier League in his first full season.
Howe doesn’t often comment on reported targets, but has been complimentary of the 22-year-old, who seems certain to continue playing top flight football next season.
Howe discusses £30m target
Eddie Howe had plenty of praise for Toon target Liam Delap after links between Newcastle and the Ipswich forward have began to gain traction.
It would come as a surprise if Newcastle fail to sign a centre-forward this summer. Callum Wilson’s contract expires in the summer, though has been given a lifeline that he may be able to earn an extension with performances before the end of the season.
Raw talent Will Osula is not yet ready to play second fiddle to Alexander Isak if Newcastle want to compete on multiple fronts next season, and the club are reportedly becoming increasingly likely to send the 21-year-old out on loan.
This leaves the Mags in desperate need of recruiting a back-up option to Isak, and Howe is certainly a fan of Delap; who actually missed the reverse fixture where we won 4-0 at Portman Road earlier this season:
"He's a pivotal player for [Ipswich], there's no denying that,” Howe said in Friday morning’s press conference. “I think he's had a very good season.”
"He's got big strengths, very strong, powerful runner. Certainly knows where the goal is. He's had a really good season. He's always had a lot of potential. We've seen what a threat he can be."
The perfect Wilson replacement?
From a Newcastle United perspective, Liam Delap offers the perfect replacement to Callum Wilson and would be a superb acquisition at £30m.
Premier League ready with 12 goals in his debut season, the young, fairly priced, forward is a powerful option who offers something different to Isak.
The concern for this deal, in my opinion, comes from the player’s side of things. Delap would come to Newcastle knowing he would be second choice striker in a system that plays with one up top.
There are teams in the Premier League crying out for a centre-forward that could offer more of a guarantee of minutes. Our strength in negotiating is guaranteeing we will be able to offer minutes in European football, hopefully in the Champions League depending how the end of our season pans out.
