The transfer window opens in two weeks and there is no doubt that Newcastle United will be active.
Whether we qualify for the Champions League via a win over Everton on Sunday or must settle for the Europa League instead, we appear to be in the market for a striker, right winger, centre-back and goalkeeper.
Attacking reinforcements are required to take some of the goalscoring burden off Alexander Isak and improve our squad depth, and it seems the club are making one final push to land a certain striker.
TalkSPORT have issued an update on Liam Delap’s future as the Ipswich Town striker prepares to decide on his next move following the Tractor Boys’ relegation back to the Championship.
They report today that Newcastle are due to hold talks with the 22-year-old ‘this week’, with Toon officials set to pitch a move to St James’ Park to the England Under-21 international.
It’s believed the striker, who is available at a £30m release clause, will hold face-to-face discussions with all interested parties before making a final decision, despite suggestions that Man Utd are closing in on a deal. Chelsea are also thought to be in the running.
TalkSPORT claim that Delap would ‘ideally’ return to Manchester, where he was previously settled while playing for Man City’s youth teams, but he is open to offers and prioritising European football; which Man Utd would not offer next season should they lose tomorrow’s Europa League final against Spurs.
Raiding the relegated - Again - NUFC The Mag
The same report states that Newcastle are stepping up their pursuit of a new striker to rival Alexander Isak as Callum Wilson is now ‘expected to leave’ this summer.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and it seems the club are unlikely to activate their option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, allowing Wilson to leave on a free.
Delap would be a superb replacement, offering real value at £30m after 12 goals in his first full season at Premier League level.
Eddie Howe could help the striker take his game to the next level, as he has done with Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, but Delap may have reservations over regular starts, with a 4-3-3 system and Isak’s presence having the potential to block his route to minutes.