Ipswich Town want to sign 213-goal striker for free to replace Liam Delap

Ipswich Town are interested in signing a proven goalscorer as a potential replacement for star striker Liam Delap.

Delap a wanted man with Ipswich Town in relegation zone

The Tractor Boys’ long-awaited return to the Premier League has been tough for Kieran McKenna and co, despite those at Portman Road splashing the cash in both the summer and winter transfer windows.

Plenty of new faces have arrived, however, Ipswich are currently in the relegation zone alongside promoted sides Leicester City and Southampton. An immediate return to the Championship is on the cards, however, one Ipswich player who could stay in the Premier League is Delap.

Signed from Manchester City in the summer, the 22-year-old has scored 10 top-flight goals and registered two assists in 27 games. He’s been heavily linked with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea in recent days, with Ipswich wanting £60m for their star attacker.

Pundit Paul Robinson has made a claim on Delap’s future, should Ipswich go down, saying: “Ipswich will do very well to hold on to him. If they don’t survive in the Premier League, you can’t see his future being there.

“He is a pest. He is a nuisance. He is always there on the shoulders of the centre-backs. He is making runs in the channels. He is always available. When it looks like he isn’t going to win the ball, he puts his body in between the player and the ball, somehow managing to win a free-kick or something for his team. He is a top, top player.”

A new talisman will be needed if Ipswich go down and cash in on Delap, and it looks as if they have their eye on one potential target.

Ipswich Town keen on free signing as possible Delap replacement

Talking to Sunderland AFC News, reporter Graeme Bailey said that Ipswich want to sign Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, viewing him as a ‘some sort of Delap replacement’.

“He is a free transfer… Ipswich clearly see him as some sort of Liam Delap replacement, but Sunderland do like him to – would they want him if they get promoted? Perhaps not but impossible to say.

“But it is not just Sunderland or Ipswich that want him, a number of clubs are talking to him and are going to give him some options. Shankland I am told has a desire to play in England, so let’s see if he gets his wish.”

Shankland who has scored 213 career goals in total, is on course to be available on a free transfer when his Hearts contract expires at the end of May.

The 29-year-old has played the majority of his career in Scotland, aside from a short spell in Belgium with Beerschot, and a move south to Portman Road could be on the cards.