Ipswich Town fans will be happy with the flurry of transfer action that has already occurred this window at Portman Road, particularly with the announcement that Omari Hutchinson was set to rejoin the club for a record amount.
Hutchinson hopes to be joined in Suffolk by Hull City duo Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Jake Greaves, as Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna continues to spend heavily in order to deal with the difficult task of staying afloat in the Premier League.
Philogene appeared to be on his way to Everton when the Toffees had their proposal of £16 million accepted by the Tigers. However, David Ornstein has since stated that, while Everton is still in the running, Ipswich have agreed to their own agreement worth roughly £18 million.
🚨 Ipswich have £18m deal with Hull to sign Jaden Philogene. 5yr contract in place. 22yo currently set to pick #ITFC + do medical this week. #AVFC matching rights until Wed & ready to activate but respect player wish. #CPFC / #EFC still keen @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/M0JjUctF7L
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 9, 2024
According to speculations, Ipswich could recruit another attacker, including a striker who has previously been complimented by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Ipswich in talks with Man City ace
According to the East Anglia Daily Times, Ipswich are in talks to sign talented Manchester City striker Liam Delap this summer to bolster their centre-forward positions, with the reigning Premier League champions inclined to transfer the potential 21-year-old permanently.
Ipswich would have to fulfill a £10 million price placed above Delap’s head by the elite club, as well as beat out Southampton, who are also vying for the youngster’s services after securing promotion.
If Delap decides to go to Portman Road this off-season, he may reunite with old Hull teammates Philogene and Greaves, while George Hirst will be given ample opposition up top after shining in the Championship for the Tigers last season.
What Delap can offer Ipswich
Ipswich are in desperate need of fresh striker additions, with Kayden Jackson being released from the club’s retained list and Freddie Ladapo wishing to go on, and Delap might be the answer if they can get his services.
The 21-year-old earned a reputation as a cool and calm finisher for City at development level, scoring an incredible 32 goals in 32 Premier League 2 outings while still learning the ropes with the U21s, and his Hull goal record is even more encouraging from an Ipswich perspective.
When comparing the two strikers, Delap clearly has some catching up to do in the senior game when compared to the 25-year-old’s figures, but the promising striker is coming off his most productive season to date in men’s football.
Delap scored eight goals in 32 Hull games, topping Hirst’s Championship goal total by one, including the stunning strike below, which trickled into the Leicester City goal early in the season.
Hull ended Leicester’s 100% start to the season with this goal by Liam Delap 🤩🐅#HCAFC
pic.twitter.com/dpA5ulz4U2— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) September 2, 2023
Those eight goals would come in league play for the 6’1 striker, despite the fact that the Manchester City prospect only had an xG of 6.31, with the 21-year-old prospering last season under Liam Rosenior’s tutelage as an effective finisher of chances.
He will want to expand his wings away from the Etihad Stadium on a permanent basis shortly, since first-team opportunities in the offensive positions are obviously scarce at Man City, but that doesn’t mean Guardiola hasn’t been lyrical about Delap before.
The intimidating 53-year-old rated Delap as a “incredible” finisher in 2022, during the height of his free-flowing days playing in Manchester City’s junior setup, with the Spaniard even labeling the 21-year-old as a “killer” in front of goal.
Ipswich will hope that this version of Delap can shine at Portman Road next season, having demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess with Hull, as the Tractor Boys aim for another great success by avoiding relegation to the Premier League.
