Liam Delap has chosen to join Chelsea over Newcastle United.
Newcastle United did try to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, but the 22-year-old is taking his talents to the capital.
Delap wants to join Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca’s side on course to sign the forward for £30million.
The Blues have beaten Newcastle and Manchester United in this transfer tussle, as both sides prepare to look elsewhere for a new striker.
Newcastle need to bring in more cover for Alexander Isak, with Callum Wilson on course to leave the club at the end of the month.
Eddie Howe hoped Delap could provide that cover, whilst also playing alongside Isak at St James’ Park. However, that vision will not become a reality.
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Newcastle United unable to make Liam Delap their ‘main man’
The decision has shocked former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who has described the reason why Delap chose not to join Newcastle as ‘nonsense’.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, journalist Alex Crook has detailed why a move to Newcastle United never materialised for Delap, much to the dismay of Deeney.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Crook: “It will be interesting to know what Chelsea have promised him because he also spoke to Newcastle and one of the reasons he did not pursue that move was because he wants to be guaranteed that he is going to be the main man. Obviously at Newcastle, Alexander Isak is there, so you’re not going to get that.”
Deeney: “That’s a nonsense statement, that.”
Liam Delap told he is making the wrong decision
While Deeney has turned his nose up at the reason why Delap is not joining Newcastle United, he is not even of the belief that St James’ Park is the right place for him.
Instead, Deeney believes that Delap should be signing for Manchester United.
“Personally, when I just look at his development, I thought Man United were a perfect fit,” he said.
“He’s played Under-23s football and he’s obviously had a couple of loans. Some were okay, some were not okay.
“He goes to Ipswich and has a solid season. I wouldn’t say it has been exceptional. The second half of the season he wasn’t great.
“He’s got so much more of his game he needs to develop. Going to Man United at this stage of his career where they are, he would have to deal with the big experience of being the man to take them to the next level. Then he would be ready for Europe. I think he is missing a step in his development.”
Man United were the favourites to sign Delap, but the situation changed when they lost the Europa League final and subsequently failed to qualify for the Champions League.
While Newcastle can offer Delap Champions League football, they are unable to guarantee that he will start every week.
In contrast, Maresca must have offered him that at Stamford Bridge, even if Chelsea do want to sign another striker after Delap.
Fortunately for Eddie Howe, Newcastle do have other striker options to pursue.