Liam Delap’s favoured next club emerges as Newcastle United’s exciting striker plan ruined

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Newcastle United could be set to miss out on the signing of Liam Delap this summer.  

Despite an underwhelming season for Ipswich as a whole, Delap has emerged as a force to be reckoned with after scoring 12 Premier League goals. 

As a result, the 22-year-old looks to be in demand.

Newcastle have plans to play Delap and Alexander Isak together but actually landing the England U21 international may be difficult. 

Eddie Howe has hailed Delap for having a “very good” season but his form at Portman Road has attracted admiring glances from elsewhere too. 

It has been claimed that Delap wants to join Manchester United instead of Newcastle this summer but fresh reports from The Sun now name another destination as his most likely landing spot. 

• Every player linked with Newcastle in summer transfer window: Latest news and prices on Eddie Howe’s targets

Liam Delap could join Chelsea instead of Newcastle United  

They claim Chelsea are growing in confidence about signing the striker this summer.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca worked with the striker in the Manchester City academy and a move to Stamford Bridge is said to appeal. 

Chelsea’s recruitment director Joe Shields tempted Delap to leave Derby and join City’s academy in the first place, during his time working at the Etihad Stadium.

It’s added that Chelsea believe landing Delap would be a significant coup given the interest in him.  

Liam Delap salary demands amid Newcastle United interest

Delap has a release clause worth £30million in his contract at Ipswich, which became active when the Tractor Boys were relegated by Newcastle.  

Still, that doesn’t mean he’ll come cheaply.

Indeed, Delap wants around £120k-per-week at his next club. That would put him among Newcastle’s highest earners, which feels steep for a player who’d surely be behind Isak in the pecking order. 

The thought of having both Delap and Isak in the Newcastle United squad is exciting. However, considering the rival interest and his reported wage demands, it just does not feel likely.