Liverpool could take advantage of new transfer opportunity to sign former Man City striker

Liverpool could take advantage of new transfer opportunity to sign former Man City striker

Liverpool have recently been linked with a possible move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap

Liam Delap of Ipswich Town celebrates scoring his team's first goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Chelsea FC at Portman Road (Image: Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images )

With Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez both finding themselves linked with a move away from Liverpool, and Mohamed Salah currently still out of contract at the end of the season, it would not be the biggest surprise if the Reds found themselves back in the market for a new forward in 2025.

Arne Slot’s side are being linked with potential reinforcements themselves, with the summer arrival of the Italian partly a result of the Dutchman being keen on possessing six forwards in his senior squad and having two quality options for each outfield position.

‌

With Nunez struggling for form, Diogo Jota only just back from a two-month injury lay-off, and Cody Gakpo shining on the left, Luis Diaz has been reinvented down the middle.

Ibrahima Konate absence now clear as five Liverpool players give Arne Slot boost READ MORE:

Liverpool could be without four players for Man United as anxious wait continues READ MORE:

The Colombian has returned six goals from five appearances upfront, with his last four Premier League starts all coming at centre-forward. Following Jota’s return from injury, Slot would insist that Diaz would still be considered as a striker option, with the forward responding with three goals from his last two games.

‌

Nunez has seemingly dropped down the pecking order as a result, leading to both reports linking him with a move away and speculation surrounding Liverpool and potential new forwards.

The Daily Mail reported last weekend that the Reds are one of the clubs interested in signing former Man City striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

The 21-year-old has impressed for the struggling Tractor Boys since joining them in a £20m deal last summer, returning seven goals from 18 Premier League appearances.

‌

This has prompted speculation about his future, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Man City, along with Liverpool, all said to be interested in the England Under-21s international. While Pep Guardiola’s side inserted a buyback clause in the deal that took the striker to Portman Road, his contract is also believed to contain a release clause for other suitors.

Delap would play down speculation about his future after scoring in Ipswich’s shock 2-0 victory over Chelsea earlier this week. The striker said: “Yes, I don’t really look at things like that. So, yes, I’m just focused on Ipswich.

“As a young player, you just want to go and play football. We’re lucky to be playing in the Premier League. I think we’ve got a great opportunity here at Ipswich and we’re just trying to show our ability week in, week out, that’s a big plus for me.”

‌

Despite Delap’s goals and Ipswich’s win over Chelsea, they remain in the bottom three at the midway point in the Premier League season. Consequently, there is no escaping the fact that they are in a relegation battle.

Should they avoid the drop, Delap will no doubt have played a pivotal role which will only enhance interest in his services. But if Ipswich suffer relegation, it could open the door for Liverpool to replicate not one but two previous transfer tricks - with the Reds known to be opportunists in the market.

The Reds are partial to activating a release clause, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ibrahima Konate, Takumi Minamino, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri all signed under Jurgen Klopp after their buy-outs were met. Meanwhile, Slot would have brought in his first such signing last summer, had Martin Zubimendi not U-turned on a move to Anfield.

Article continues below

Meanwhile, Shaqiri’s £13.5m switch to Liverpool was courtesy of a relegation release clause, with the Switzerland international one of a number of players the Reds have brought in from demoted clubs.

They also signed Danny Ings from Burnley, Gini Wijnaldum from Newcastle United and Andy Robertson from Hull City in the summers of 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively, before snapping up Harvey Elliott at the end of his Fulham contract in 2019 - with a £4.3m compensation package eventually decided by tribunal.

Now this is not to say Liverpool will definitely make a move for Delap as they continue to monitor his performances for Ipswich. But if they find themselves in the market for a new striker, the England Under-21s international could prove to be an opportunity that may well pique their interest.

Click here to read article