Newcastle United must ditch Liam Delap plan and go all in to sign ‘unplayable’ attacker

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Newcastle United are firmly in the mix to sign Liam Delap, but he might be a player who Eddie Howe should avoid.

While the Magpies have three transfer priorities, it has been reported that Newcastle also want a striker.

Like pretty much every Premier League club, Newcastle want Liam Delap.

That is no great surprise. He has performed exceptionally well for Ipswich Town this season, is only 22-years-old and is available for £30million.

Delap ticks every box for Newcastle United, but signing him could force the Magpies to miss out on another target.

Newcastle United are interested in Bryan Mbeumo

As well as Delap, Newcastle are interested in Bryan Mbeumo too.

Eddie Howe desperately needs to sign a right winger, with Mbeumo identified as a player who the Newcastle United recruitment team would love to bring to St James’ Park.

However, it has been reported that his price tag of more than £60million could be an issue.

The Telegraph have reported that Newcastle are unlikely to be able to sign Delap and Mbeumo, on top of a centre-back and a goalkeeper.

Why Newcastle United should sign Mbeumo over Delap

A £60million outlay on Mbeumo would be massive. He would become one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever.

In contrast, the Magpies can get Delap for half the price.

But Newcastle need Mbeumo more than they need Delap.

The 25-year-old would be a game-changer in attack, joining Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in an already top level forward line.

In contrast, Delap would arrive as Isak’s deputy. While he would play regularly, he would arrive to add depth.

That is depth that Newcastle need, but signing a right winger is more of a priority. Not only that, Newcastle need to sign the correct right winger.

In the eyes of many fans, Mbeumo is that player. He is someone who Eddie Howe loves, while his output this season has been incredible. The Cameroon international has scored 18 goals and provided eight assists.

Newcastle have seen up close how good he is. Thomas Frank called Mbeumo ‘unplayable’ after Brentford’s win over the Magpies in December.

With Howe’s coaching, he could improve even further.

The same goes for Delap, but he would always be deputy to Isak as long as the Swede remains at St James’ Park.

If it is a case of ‘one or the other’, Newcastle have to forget about Delap. Mbeumo is the player to prioritise – even if it means not being able to sign a striker.

We have seen at Brentford what Mbeumo is capable of as a central striker as well as out wide, and he could have a similar role at Newcastle United as Anthony Gordon. He is a winger, but can be relied on to play centrally when required.

Ever since the change of ownership, Newcastle United have needed a new right winger. Getting one is absolutely pivotal this summer following Miguel Almiron’s departure, and Mbeumo has to be the top target.