Manager makes shock claim that striker could snub Newcastle United for the Championship

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Newcastle United continue to be tipped as a potential landing spot for Liam Delap. 

Delap has scored 12 Premier League goals this season for an otherwise poor Ipswich side and Newcastle United are believed to have taken note. 

Newcastle are interested in Delap and will play against him on Saturday when the Tractor Boys come to St James’ Park looking to stave off relegation until a later date.  

Much has been made about the 22-year-old this season. Pundit Theo Walcott has compared Delap to a young Alan Shearer, such has been his impact on onlookers this season.

Clearly, Newcastle have one of the best strikers in the world on the books in the form of Alexander Isak.

Still, having the two compete for a starting berth during what is an increased schedule next season given Newcastle have qualified for the Conference League would hardly be a bad thing. 

There is huge excitement about Delap and Kieran McKenna has been speaking about his future. 

• READ MORE: Ben Foster thinks Liam Delap’s agent has just done something “incredible”

Kieran McKenna responds to Liam Delap transfer interest amid Newcastle links 

Manchester United have also been linked with Delap and he certainly looks attainable this summer. 

In fact, Delap is believed to have a release clause worth around £30million in his contract should Ipswich be relegated. 

That is now an almost certainty, but McKenna is refusing to give up hope of keeping the forward.  

Speaking ahead of Ipswich’s clash against Newcastle, he said (via BBC Sport): “Liam’s focus is still here, and finishing the season as strong as what it will be. I think there’s certainly a possibility that he’s an Ipswich player next year.”

• READ MORE: How Newcastle United could trigger Liam Delap transfer clause imminently

How Newcastle United could line-up with Liam Delap next season

Newcastle have reportedly considered playing Isak alongside another striker, having previously been linked with a move for Sporting CP star and Sweden teammate Viktor Gyokeres.  

Should Delap arrive instead of Gyokeres, a similar idea could still be deployed.

Isak is capable of drifting wide or dropping deep.  

Though changing his position on a full-time basis seems unlikely, signing a player of Delap’s profile could allow Eddie Howe the chance to switch things up at times.  

That kind of versatility could be crucial for a European campaign of some sort next season. Hopefully, it’s in the Champions League…