Liam Delap has chosen Chelsea over Newcastle United this summer.
Delap established himself as one of the Premier League’s most in-demand strikers following a successful individual season for Ipswich Town.
Despite being relegated, the 22-year-old scored an incredible 12 goals in a spectacular breakout season. Newcastle United and others took note.
Newcastle have held talks to recruit Delap, but the England U21 international is unlikely to join them.
Indeed, Delap is expected to join Chelsea for £30 million thanks to a release provision in his contract at Portman Road.
Delap is said to have joined Chelsea because Alexander Isak is Newcastle’s first-choice striker, which would limit his playing time.
The newest transfer news from Stamford Bridge, however, may not be good news for the forward.
Chelsea want to sign another striker after Liam Delap move
In fact, they are scheduled to meet with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who was once a Newcastle target.
With Nicolas Jackson already on the roster, the first-team football Delap was seeking for may be difficult to find. According to the report, Jackson is still a key element of Enzo Maresca’s plans for west London.
Ekitike has a high market value, therefore it is doubtful that he would sit on the bench if he joined Chelsea. According to The Daily Mirror, the Blues are still looking to sign another forward.
At Newcastle, it’s only Isak ahead of another forward of Delap’s kind of profile. Granted, he’s a sizeable figure to overcome but Newcastle planned to play Isak and Delap together.
Over at Chelsea, the competition for a starting berth could be so much harder.
| Player | Games | Starts | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| Alexander Isak | 42 | 41 | 3324 | 27 | 6 |
| William Osula | 19 | 3 | 413 | 2 | 2 |
| Callum Wilson | 22 | 3 | 458 | 1 | 0 |
Newcastle United ready to move on from Liam Delap saga
Newcastle are moving on to other targets after missing out on Delap, however it is unclear who they are.
Newcastle intend to recruit four players this summer, one of which will likely be a new striker.
Isak just cannot be expected to play every game next season, especially given the added pressure of Champions League football on Eddie Howe’s squad.
The club needs a striker, especially because Callum Wilson is expected to depart Newcastle this summer.
If Newcastle sign a high-profile striker, Delap would have a better chance of playing there than Chelsea.
