Arsenal have been keeping track of Ipswich striker Liam Delap as one of several striker options heading into the summer transfer window, Arsenal Insider understands.
It comes as the Gunners are looking to bolster their centre-forward options over the coming months, following several problems there.
Mikel Arteta has faced a challenge in finding a striker who can be clinical in those tight matches that have seen Arsenal drop important points in the Premier League title race.
Both Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are top transfer targets for Arsenal, with the side looking to land one of the two to lead their frontline.
However, the Gunners also have other options out there, with links surrounding the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Matheus Cunha.
Another player in the mix is Liam Delap, with the Ipswich Town striker really making an impression in his first full Premier League campaign.
Arsenal keeping tabs on Liam Delap ahead of summer transfer
Delap made the transfer switch from Manchester City to Ipswich Town last summer as he looked to make an impact with the newly promoted side.
He has managed exactly that so far, hitting double-figures for goals in the Premier League despite his team’s struggles.
While relegation seems a distinct possibility for the Tractor Boys, Delap’s clinical nature, physical ability and potential to grow further have put him on the radar of teams in the Premier League ahead of the coming summer transfer window.
Gary Lineker has urged Arsenal to sign Delap, with the club keeping tabs on the progress the striker is making.
TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider on a possible deal: “Arsenal like him, they are aware of his progress this season and they like what they’ve seen.
“Is that enough to make him their top target? Not from what I’ve been told but they like him, even if he isn’t their top, top target from my understanding. They’ve done their work on him and they do appreciate him as a player.”
With plenty of months ahead of any move in the summer, the Gunners could still change their priorities and look to land Delap.
That may well depend on the impact of Pep Guardiola though, with a possible return to Manchester City on the cards.
- READ MORE: How many points Arsenal can still reach in the Premier League title race as Liverpool gap widens
Manchester City hold a buyback clause on Liam Delap transfer
The one thing that could impact Arsenal, among plenty of other teams, is Man City holding a buyback clause involved in Delap’s deal at Ipswich.
The current Premier League champions could trigger a deal for the striker to return at the £40million mark along with a chance to sell him on for even more profit or the opportunity to start him.
Bailey added on that possibility: “The buyback can be there for Man City to utilise and to sell him on for bigger profit than what they would maybe get from the sell-on clause.
“So Man City could go two routes with it, buy him back and keep him but that looks unlikely with Omar Marmoush going in.
“However, in theory, they could sign him back and then sell him for perhaps more than what Ipswich would get but the player has to accept it as well.”
Whether Guardiola would make use of him is one question, however, the manager has already outlined how much he rates him.
Speaking back in February 2022, the manager said: “Liam last season grew up a lot especially with Enzo Maresca helping him to develop. He is the type of striker we don’t have, a killer, typical British striker.
“The only problem was injured and after injured and after injured, he struggled a lot but he has a special quality.”
That special quality is finally being realised on the big stage, but who he takes that to next is unclear heading into a big summer market.
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