West Ham have no chance of signing Ipswich striker Liam Delap in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to football transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who has reported that the race for the 22-year-old is now down to two clubs: Manchester United and Chelsea.
Delap had been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium over the past fortnight, and Claret & Hugh confirmed he was indeed a player of interest to the Hammers.
The former Manchester City academy graduate is believed to have a £30m buyout clause in his contract, which becomes active if Ipswich are relegated from the Premier League.
While the Tractor Boys are not yet mathematically relegated, they would need a minor miracle to catch 17th-place West Ham, with only 18 points left to play for. Therefor it’s safe to assume the forward will be leaving for a reduced fee but he won’t be heading to East London.
The latest update from Romano will be a blow for the Hammers, who had seen Delap rise steadily up their list of summer striker transfer targets.
The club appear to be leaning towards signing a more traditional No.9 target man, with ongoing concerns over both the short and long-term fitness of Niclas Füllkrug.
If true Delap has dismissed Man Utd.
Wanting to play regular football then Chelsea is not going to be ideal having spent vast amounts on their team.
Does he want a new challenge and that’s what it would be at whu?
With no strikers going forward to next season he will be number one, is that enough of incentive?
No doubt there will be other suitors if whoever decides he’s the man they need to make an early move.
Haggling is not going to get his signature.
Delap isn’t the smartest player and consequently will likely be lured with a big wage and a big club in European competition . It’s a financial no brainer for any club for just 30 million they’re guaranteed to make money even if he doesn’t work out .
If he goes to Chelsea then he’s a fool!!
Romano has been wrong many times before. A ManU management that sees Marcus Rashford as an expendable no-hoper will not be giving Liam Delap any sort of chance to enjoy his football career. Chelsea might want to buy him but wouldn’t know what to do with him.
West Ham United would be a really good fit for Delap. Very talented and to be appreciated in the right team. Very similar to Jarrod Bowen in his work ethic and application and look what has happened to him.
Fabrizio Romano might have his finger on the financial social media but is not at all reliable when it comes to the real world.
COYI
“Knockout Blow”? Did you think we ever had a chance of landing Delap?
Well whoever he goes to out off Chelsea and Man Utd will ruin his career.
We are supposed to be under Potter a club under transition, aside of one or two average performances and a half decent second half against a Liverpool team who didn’t really get out of third gear , I don’t see it ! The consensus is we need new players, but to get them we need to sell , can’t see anyone with ambition coming to what is a club with no direction. We are a stepping stone club, that sells or loans out it’s talent, otherwise it’s a good club to retire at.
Have spent 60 years supporting this team and have never felt so apathetic about its ability to provide any semblance of entertainment. The only transition I am seeing is from bad to worse, maybe I’m completely wrong who knows.
I really don’t see how you have laid this blame at potters feet? The squad was so disjointed when he took over, he has shored up the defence and is slowly trying to implement an attacking style. Might be worth remembering that some of these players have failed under 3-4 managers now, stop going for the easy target. He needs 2-3 proper windows to sort this mess of a club out if you want a big money quick fix go follow city.
“2 or 3 windows ” Hilarious 😂 Another delusional sap who thinks Potter is the messiah
Dartmoor, as a similarly aged fan (my first game was a fantastic 4-3 win over QPR in November 1968) what should concern me but doesn’t, is I feel absolutely the same. The anger has long gone – now apathy. I want be renewing after being a season ticket holder since 1981. Gold & Brady you win, you are successfully driving away life long die hard fans and replacing us with new customers – i.e. tourists who don’t even watch the game.
My solace is I have £2,000 plus to waste elsewhere
So, who are these wallys linking every forward that may be available to West Ham. This nonsense goes on every season! Any decent forward will almost certainly go to a club that are in a European competition.
We cannot compete with the likes of Utd and Chelsea when it comes to attracting top talent. Both in terms of the prospect of European football and wages. Even though Utd are a shambles at the moment they still have the pulling power. We need to target players that are likely to consider us and who are willing to sign up to the project.