Following finally winning their first Premier League game since regaining promotion to the top division, Ipswich Town may fall prey to their own success, with Juventus sending scouts to watch one of their star players play.
Ipswich transfer news
Following Wolverhampton Wanderers’ victory over Southampton earlier in the weekend, Ipswich went to Tottenham Hotspur as the only team still without a Premier League win this season. The Tractor Boys saved their greatest moment for when they needed it most, up against a top six side, and stunned the North London club to secure what they hope will be the first of many historic victories this season.
Victory over Spurs, which moves them out of the Premier League’s bottom three by one point, could be significant at the conclusion of the season. It was unsurprising when Liam Delap scored the winning goal late in the first half. The summer signing has been one of the brightest spots in the bottom half this season, and his development may not stop at Portman Road.
According to Tutto Juve, Juventus has dispatched scouts to watch Delap this season as the European giants consider a bid to capture the forward.
Delap, who signed from Manchester City for a reported £20 million in the summer, has had a great run of form – far better than anyone could have predicted – and has emerged as the player most likely to lead Ipswich to safety. So, losing such a talented player so early in his career would be a significant loss.
The former Manchester City youth star’s ability to withstand the temptation of a high club remains to be seen.
Ipswich cannot afford to lose “powerful” Delap
While it’s easy to mistrust Ipswich’s chances of survival in the Premier League, they have one advantage that many clubs in similar situations struggle to locate and suffer as a result. Kieran McKenna has a natural goalscorer at his disposal who is on track to hit double figures after scoring six goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season. Such a record is absolutely important to any team, let alone a relegation candidate.
If European clubs of the quality of Juventus come calling, the Tractor Boys must stave them off until at least the summer transfer window, when they may have guaranteed survival and are preparing for a second consecutive season in the top flight.
£20,000-a-week Delap has, of course, earned plenty of praise throughout the season, including from current England U21s boss Ben Futcher told Henry Winter, as relayed by the East Anglian Times: “Liam was an absolute handful. If you want to go and fight him, he’ll match you. If you want to race him, he’ll win the race.
“He’s very difficult to deal with, he’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s in good form in the Premier League. Liam’s a top number nine and he’s going to keep developing.”
