Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing 22-year-old English striker Liam Delap from relegation-threatened Premier League club Ipswich Town.
According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Arsenal are contemplating a summer move for highly-rated Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, and he will cost around £40 million in the summer transfer window.
Delap has been linked with other Premier League clubs as well, and it remains to be seen where he ends up. The young attacker will not want to compete in the Championship next season, and the opportunity to continue in the Premier League will be quite attractive for him.
In addition, Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could nurture him into a future star. Ipswich Town are one of the favourites to go down this season, and it seems highly unlikely that they will be able to stave off relegation. Delap needs to start planning for his future and the opportunity to join Arsenal can be hard to turn down.
Arsenal need a clinical finisher, and the 22-year-old would be a long term investment for them. Gabriel Jesus has struggled to score goals consistently, and the Brazilian needs to be replaced if Arsenal are serious about winning major trophies. Delap could be the striker they are looking for. He has the attributes to succeed at the highest level, and Arsenal could groom him into a reliable Premier League attacker.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal follow up on their interest with an official offer to sign the Englishman. They have the resources to pay £40 million for him. Even though the asking price might seem like a premium right now, Delap certainly has the potential to justify the investment in the long term.
Delap could force Ipswich exit
Ipswich Town will not want to lose a talented young player like Liam Delap, but they are powerless to stop him from leaving, especially if they go down to the EFL Championship. Top players will not want to play in the second division of English football, and Ipswich will be under pressure to sell him.
Arsenal have done well to groom talented young players over the years, and a move to the North London club would be ideal for the 22-year-old. He needs to join a club but he will get ample opportunities and a manager who will back him. Mikel Arteta could be the ideal coach to bring out the best in him.