Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Liam Delap to consider all his options with an exit from Ipswich Town looking inevitable this summer – and suggested a move to Arsenal could be on the cards.
Delap’s 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances for the relegation-bound Tractor Boys has attracted attention from a whole host of England’s top sides, and he’s set to be hot property in the transfer market.
Having sold the striker to Ipswich last summer following a series of second-tier loan moves, Manchester City could be set to activate their buy-back clause for Delap 12 months on, giving them the advantage.
However, City’s arch-rivals Manchester United are also one of clubs on the hunt for a new striker this summer, and having seen Delap stand above the parapet at Portman Road, they too could bid for him.
Liam Delap told to leave Man United interest alone
Man United are in desperate need of an upgrade in the final third as they prepare to limp to a lower mid-table Premier League finish for the very first time, with Rasmus Hojlund simply not at the level they need.
Ipswich are heading for an even worse fate, with a 12-point gap to Wolves making relegation look certain, and according to the Daily Mail [1 April], this will activate a £40million release clause in Delap’s contract.
However, speaking on talkSPORT (8 April, 6:23am), Gabby Agbonlahor urged Delap to avoid making the move to Old Trafford, arguing that history suggests such a transfer could massively derail his career.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow/Red Cards |
| Liam Delap | 33 | 29 | 12 | 2 | 10 |
“I’d take him over what they’ve got”, Agbonlahor said; “he’s better than Hojlund, better than Zirkzee, but if I’m Delap, I’d probably tell him not to go there.
“I feel that it’s negative at the moment, Manchester United; anyone that goes there, bar Fernandes, has been a disappointment in recent years.
“I would go to a different club – I could see him at Arsenal, I really could, but has he done enough yet to warrant a team that’s fighting for the Premier League title?
“Does he need a step in between that, like a West Ham. West Ham [are] wanting a striker in the summer, maybe a West Ham might suit him better.”
Delap ready to take next steps amid Arsenal transfer reveal
Although Agbonlahor’s fears for Delap are valid if he signs for the Red Devils, it’s undeniable that the 22-year-old’s old-fashioned, all-action style of centre-forward play would suit Ruben Amorim’s style of play.
Amorim reuniting with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres will be easier said than done, with United’s former cheif scout Mick Brown telling Football Insider last month that he would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford.
Football Insider also revealed that Graham Potter is preparing for no less than 10 departures at West Ham this summer, and with a striker also at the top of his wishlist, Delap could prove to be the ideal number nine to take the Irons forward, particularly if Gyokeres ends up at Man United.
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