Chelsea are plotting a move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap after cooling their interest in Newcastle United star and Arsenal target Alexander Isak.
The Blues looked into signing a new striker last summer and sent a delegation out to Naples in a bid to bring long-term target Victor Osimhen to Stamford Bridge.
That deal fell through on transfer deadline day but failing to sign a new goalscorer has not hindered the start to Enzo Maresca’s reign as Chelsea boss.
Widely tipped to struggle before the start of the season, Chelsea have in fact been one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League, only losing two of their opening 12 games to climb to third in the table.
The previously derided Nicolas Jackson has also impressed in front of goal, scoring seven goals in 13 appearances to suggest he can be Chelsea’s long-term striker option.
Despite Jackson’s revival, Chelsea continue to be linked with a number of strikers, with Ipswich star Delap the latest to emerge as a Stamford Bridge target.
Liam Delap, the son of former Stoke City midfielder Rory, has scored six goals in 11 Premier League games since completing a £20m move from Manchester City.
The 21-year-old was rated highly by coaches at the Etihad but left in the pursuit of regular first-team football, having made just six appearances for City across fours years at the club.
Man City put a buy-back clause in his contract when he left but Chelsea are also interested in securing his signature as he rated ‘exceptionally highly’ on their transfer metrics, according to the i.
Ipswich have only won once since their long-awaited return to the Premier League but that has not prevented Delap from scoring several goals and impressing rival teams with his all-round play.
It is claimed Chelsea could still revive their interest in Nigerian striker Osimhen over the next 12 months but are currently looking at younger alternatives and admire Delap.
Chelsea’s transfer strategy under Todd Boehly has been widely criticised but the Blues are starting to look like potential title challengers once again, currently sitting above London rivals Arsenal and just one point below Man City following their dismal run.
Osimhen is not the only high-profile striker Chelsea have been linked with recently, with Newcastle’s Isak also a figure of interest within Stamford Bridge.
Isak has scored 40 goals in 78 games since arriving at St James’ Park in the summer of 2022, his impressive form also catching the eye of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
But Chelsea have reportedly cooled their interest in Isak, with Newcastle confident he is happy and settled at the club despite the transfer speculation.
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Delap failed to add to his goals tally on Sunday against Manchester United but nevertheless produced an impressive and dominant performance to help Ipswich secure a point.
Following the game, ex-Premier League star Danny Murphy suggested Delap is the ‘obvious long-term successor’ to England captain Harry Kane.
‘He has got a lot of qualities,’ Murphy said on Match of the Day.
‘I have seen him quite a lot this season and I would probably go as far as to say he is the obvious long-term successor to [Harry] Kane.
‘I think he is the best young English striker out there. I know he has got a lot to learn and wisdom comes with experience and game time in this league, but he has got all the attributes to be a top international player.
‘I just don’t see a weakness for him. He has scored enough goals in a struggling side really, but if he gets a lot of chances he will score more.
‘He has just got that lovely balance between physical and technical [ability] and rarely do you get both. He is a super talent.’
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