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Alan Shearer backs Liverpool to steal £40m march on Manchester United to upgrade Darwin Nunez

Liverpool are expected to bolster their attack in the summer transfer window, with Darwin Nunez tipped to leave Anfield, and Alan Shearer has identified a forward who could be a perfect fit for the Reds

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Alan Shearer has suggested that Liverpool should consider replacing Darwin Nunez with Ipswich forward Liam Delap, cautioning the Reds that there will be "big clubs after him".

With the potential departures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool are preparing for a significant summer transfer window.

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Nunez, who has struggled to secure a regular spot in Arne Slot's team this season, starting only eight Premier League games and coming off the bench 15 times, is also rumoured to be leaving.

The 25 year old Uruguayan has been mentioned as a possible target for Saudi Arabian clubs, following reports that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were interested, and Slot may now be planning for his departure.

Shearer thinks Delap, who has also been linked with a summer move to Manchester United, could be a suitable option for the Reds, having seen him score ten goals for Ipswich, who are likely to be playing in the Championship next season.

"Liverpool are going to need a centre-forward," Shearer stated on The Rest Is Football podcast.

"They might try and move Nunez on and bring someone else into that position. There will be big football clubs after Delap I'm sure of that."

Delap, son of former Stoke City star Rory, began his career at Manchester City and has had an outstanding breakthrough season in the Premier League.

Last season, after scoring eight goals in 32 appearances while on loan at Hull City in the Championship, Ipswich Town made a significant investment by forking out £20million for him and securing his services with a five-year contract.

It's believed that Delap could command a fee of around £40million if clubs wish to acquire him this summer, amid reports of attention from the likes of United and Chelsea.

On a podcast episode, Shearer and host Gary Lineker expressed their optimism about Delap's potential to become one of England's leading strikers, possibly filling the boots of Harry Kane someday.

"The (England) Under-21's played tonight (Friday), it sounds like an amazing game, they lost 5-3 to France who've obviously got great youngsters as well," Lineker added.

"Liam Delap did score one of the goals – I like him, I think he's, you know... Harry's still going strong at the moment but I think it was probably a deliberate ploy from Tuchel not to put him in the squad.

In agreement, Shearer predicted Delap's future involvement with the national team, adding: "I think Liam Delap will be one that we'll see in the squad – it'll be different between now and 18 months' time.

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"I think, without a doubt, he'll be one that – if he stays away from injury and if his career keeps going on the way that he's going at the minute, he's in a really struggling side at Ipswich - but he's one of the standouts in their team I think he'll be one, without a doubt, for the future – I'm confident in saying that."

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