After a strong season with Ipswich Town, Liam Delap has fast become one of the most talked-about transfers of the upcoming summer window.
And with the uncertain future of Callum Wilson, Newcastle are keen to bolster their attacking lineup by bringing the 22-year-old to Tyneside next season.
However, we’re of course not the only club looking to advantage of his particularly low release clause, including another side with Champions League football.
So just who will Liam Delap choose as his next club, and why might we have the edge over our competitors for his signature?
Delap deciding between four top clubs
According to The Mail, Liam Delap is set to choose between four Premier League clubs as his next destination.
Alongside us, Delap will have the choice of Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United, each of which would be a big step up for the U-21 international, who has held talks with all suitors in recent weeks.
Seeking consistent game time is understood to be key to Delap’s next move, whilst us and Chelsea can also afford him the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season.
The Blues in particular feel they have the advantage in any negotiations, with manager Enzo Maresca having personally coached Delap when the pair were at Manchester City.
All four clubs are ready and willing to activate his £30m release clause, meaning it will now come down to the player himself after several sales’ pitches.
Why should Delap choose Newcastle?
With Alexander Isak set to stay our starting striker for the foreseeable future, you could question just why Delap would join the Magpies this summer if regular starts is high on his priority list.
Particularly when he waltzes into the Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United starting XIs as their main man up top, he may wonder how it would all work for him on Tyneside. However, there is plenty reason to fancy the move.
First, any young English talent should look at the work Eddie Howe has done with the likes of Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon and realise the gaffer’s ability to elevate young players like Delap is second-to-none in the Premier League.
Once you factor in two deep cup runs and a Champions League campaign of at least eight fixtures, then that should be enough to settle any reservations Delap may have about game time.
The presence of Isak above Delap in the striker hierarchy could also be of great benefit to the youngster, particularly compared to the dire state and lofty expectations new signings can expect to see should they go to either Chelsea or Manchester United.
If Delap were to join Newcastle this summer, he would be afforded time to settle on Tyneside, allowing Howe to truly work his magic and train him up to meet his high standards before he’s slotted into the first team.
I actually think he goes to Man U because it suits his style (ours does too but he wouldn’t get anywhere the games I would assume he’s looking for) if he does I would expect them to be amongst it next season too
Sean(Quote)
If any player picks the shitshow at ManU over us says a lot about the player. Player attitude is just as important as ability.
Martin(Quote)
For the lad, there are some positive aspects going to any of the four clubs mentioned, and apart from those footballing issues, he will naturally be interested in the wages on offer. We have a shout, but not a lot greater than some of the others. 5/2 against, probably a bit longer, is my guess. Let’s hope!
In all the talk, nobody seems to be calling for someone else we really need next season, which is an upgrade on Willock/Longstaff/Miley because nothing is more certain than that our three dynamos won’t all be ft and available for every match. None of the three on our books are anything like serious challengers for a first-team slot, how fabulous it would be to have 4 instead of 3 really top-class midfielders, could be transformational (look how weak we were against Everton and how we could not sustain our superb start against Arsenal).
davewallace(Quote)
He’ll go to Chelsea.
Why?
Straight into the starting line-up.
Champions League Football.
And last, but not least – LONDON!
You can argue as much as you like. But he’s been living in Manchester, Stoke, Hull, Preston and Ipswich. The lads going to get an offer from Chelsea and be gone like the proverbial rat up an aquaduct.
BiffaDescartes(Quote)