Newcastle United held talks with Liam Delap but missed out to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Delap joined Ipswich Town from Manchester City for £20million last summer but their relegation from the Premier League - confirmed via 3-0 defeat to Newcastle on April 26 - activated a £30m release clause.
Despite the Tractor Boys’ struggles, Delap enjoyed a breakout campaign with 12 goals. Newcastle, Everton and Manchester United all held meetings with the 22-year-old and his representatives before choosing Chelsea.
Alan Shearer reacts to Liam Delap choosing Chelsea over Newcastle United
Reacting to Delap’s decision, Shearer believes it is a good move for both parties, although expressed some disappointment at Newcastle missing out.
The Magpies’ legend told The Rest Is Football podcast: “For £30m, it’s a no brainer. I think Chelsea have got a great deal. I gather there were other big clubs for him so for Chelsea to get him at that price, it’s very good business.
“I think he’s a bit old fashioned. He’s like a throwback to what a centre forward was maybe 20 or 30 years ago where they were all in fashion. He’s aggressive, horrible to play against, he doesn’t mind mixing it up, he can run in behind and he obviously scores goals.
“The number of goals he scored in a really struggling team, that is only going to get better and I think at his age, his ability he has got now, I think he has a really bright future and I like him.
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“I would have liked to have seen Newcastle get him but for whatever reason he has decided to go to Chelsea and I think it’s a really smart move for him.
“Without knowing him, I’ve never met him, but I look at him and think he has got what it takes, he’s got that attitude where he believes he belongs at a big club, in a big league and can do it. He strikes me as having that and I think he’s got a bright future.”
Why Liam Delap decided to join Chelsea
Discussing his switch to Stamford Bridge, Delap pointed to winning trophies. Little separated Newcastle and Chelsea last season as both qualified for the Champions League and won a trophy, the Carabao Cup and Europa Conference League, respectively.
Delap said: "I understand the stature of this club and can see the trajectory it is on with these players and the head coach,” Delap told the club website. It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies."
"I wanted to come here to win trophies. When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that. The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective."
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