Newcastle’s transfer interest in £20m striker who Alan Shearer says ‘belongs’ in the Premier League

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As Callum Wilson’s return from injury looms, Newcastle United officials continue their search for a new striker.

Eddie Howe has said that Wilson is close to returning, with the 32-year-old back in training with his Newcastle United teammates.

However, Wilson is yet to play for the Magpies this season, while Alexander Isak’s own fitness issues have highlighted the need for a more reliable forward.

It has been reported that Newcastle are looking to sign a striker in 2025, which could be bad news for Wilson. His contract expires next summer, and it is unlikely that Wilson will be offered an extension.

Newcastle will need to replace him if he leaves, and a new target has now emerged.

Newcastle interested in Liam Delap

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle United are one of multiple Premier League clubs interested in Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap.

The 21-year-old has scored four goals so far this season, having joined Ipswich from Manchester City for £20million over the summer. He has scored more goals this season than any Newcastle United player, with Harvey Barnes the Magpies’ top scorer right now with three.

Delap’s bright start to the season has reportedly caught Newcastle’s attention, while Caught Offside also state that Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are keen.

Interest from Man City in their former player is intriguing, as it was reported over the summer that the Premier League champions included a buyback clause when they sold Delap to Ipswich.

Delap has impressed Alan Shearer

While Ipswich are still finding their feet in the Premier League, Delap looks like he belongs.

That is the view of Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, who included the son of Rory Delap in his Premier League team of the week after his brace against Aston Villa in September.

“Two great goals, which will make him feel he belongs at this level. He could be the key to Ipswich staying up,” he wrote.

• READ MORE: Who is Alan Shearer? Stats, Height, Wife, Daughter, Net Worth

Newcastle should have targeted someone like Delap in the summer

Newcastle did sign a striker in the summer, with Will Osula arriving from Sheffield United.

The deal for the 21-year-old could be worth up to £15million, which is £5million less than the deal that took Delap from Manchester City to Ipswich.

Given their respective starts to the season, you could argue that Newcastle should have pushed the boat out a little bit further and bought a player like Delap, rather than investing in a project player like Osula.

Newcastle believe Osula is unpolished, but have confidence that he will achieve his potential. But that will take time, whereas the Magpies need a striker for the present day. In Delap, they could have had that, whilst also having a forward who boasts the potential to improve.

Now that ship has sailed, even if Caught Offside report that Newcastle are one of the clubs interested in Delap. He will cost even more than he would have in the summer, so a move to Tyneside is extremely unlikely in the immediate future.