West Ham need a new number nine. Liam Delap needs a new club. Surely a match made in – Hornchurch? Even though there seems positive news on the horizon for the Hammers stricken striker [Michail Antonio](https://www.claretandhugh.info/breaking-west-ham-take-decision-over-michail-antonio-contract-extension/), who is now ‘kicking balls’ again, the Hammers urgently need a new strike force after operating for large parts of the season with no recognised striker. The results spoke for themselves.
Liam Delap is on West Ham’s shopping list – as he appears to be for just about ever Premier League club this summer. The young former Manchester City frontman is reported on several club fan sites to be ‘speaking’ to various PL teams after relegated Ipswich Town gave him permission. He does have a relegation clause in any case. so his agent will be rubbing his hands whilst fighting off a whole host of suitors.
A quick look across the web this morning reported him as ‘talking’ to Chelsea, Manchester United, David Moyes’ Everton, Newcastle United – all from ITK [Fabrizio Romano’s](https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1925967947677245905) reported comments that “_There is genuine interest from two very important clubs, Chelsea and Manchester United._”
Which is pretty clear that West Ham can give up now and focus on more attainable targets. ‘Chelsea and Champions League’ has a certain pull that the Irons cannot hope to match,
Plenty of fish in the striker sea. Not many match Delap in terms of homegrown, age, potential. providing Potter can find an Antonio replacement the right side of thirty, it’ll be a start.