‘Stunned Arsenal didn’t sign him’ – £30million striker is exactly what Mikel Arteta needs and Chelsea are getting bargain


Liam Delap is able to be a leading striker in a top Premier League club, and Chelsea get an absolute bargain for £ 30 million.

According to Adebayo Akinfenwa, this is not understanding why Arsenal did not “excited” him in front of the summer transfer window.

Delap looks like he's on the way to Chelsea this summer

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Delap looks like he’s on the way to Chelsea this summerCredit: Getty

Thanks to an impressive first campaign for Ipswich, Delap turned the heads of some of the largest clubs in the top flight, in which he scored 12 goals for the tractor boys who suffered an immediate descent back to the championship.

However, the 22-year-old will stay in the top level, with a change to a Premier League giant on the cards.

Talk sport understands that Manchester United and Newcastle were among the clubs that were enthusiastic about the English U21 international, but Chelsea won the race for him this summer.

Delap has a release clause of 30 million GBP and has talks with United, Newcastle and Everton. However, Chelsea gave the green light to offer the Champions League football.

A move to Stamford Bridge would reunite Delap with Blues Manager Enzo Maresca, under which he worked in his early career in Manchester City.

But the EFL legend Akinfenwa is stunned, Arsenal was not also interested in the young Englishman and did not urge him to sign it.

The former striker even compared Delap to the ex-premier League star Diego Costa and said he was exactly what Mikel Areta has to lead for the management of the line and her next title boost.

“I don’t understand how Arsenal does not snatch him,” said Akinfenwa about talk sport in the sports bar.

“I don’t understand how if you need a striker and look at the transfer market, change £ 30 million on today’s market.

“If you have someone who talked about potential, speak of being a Harry Kane replacement for England, about a correct No. 9, I don’t understand how arsenal was not bought.

London, England - January 5: Liam Delap from Ipswich Town celebrates his team's second goal of his team during the Premier League game between Fulham FC and IPSWICH TOWN FC in Craven Cottage on January 5, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

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Delap impresses with 12 goals of the Premier League for Ipswich this seasonCredit: Getty
Akinfenwa believes that Delap could be a star at Chelsea with better players around him

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Akinfenwa believes that Delap could be a star at Chelsea with better players around himCredit: Instagram: @akinfenwa

“As soon as Ipswich has relegated, they should have been in there. I think it’s a child’s play.

“I think he will do it well. I really do it. I remember that I spoke to him when he was borrowed from MAN City at Stoke, and even then his entire appearance, his aura, he was confident, confident and good.

“He has an element of the old school where you know that you have a game when you’re against Delap. I think he will do it well.

“I think he has this kind of mood from Diego Costa about him, in relation to them, he will know that he is there. I think it’s very, very good business. I think 30 million pounds for Delap is a very good business.”

A move to Chelsea also shows Delaps desire to be a starting center in a top club on the top level.

He might have been the second choice for Alexander Isak if he had been to Newcastle, but in Chelsea he might see the same opportunity to start and influence a top team, just like his former youth team team from Man City, Cole Palmer, in the blues.

Akinfenwa says Delap has the same presence on the field as the ex-premier League Bad Boy Costa

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Akinfenwa says Delap has the same presence on the field as the ex-premier League Bad Boy CostaCredit: Getty Images
Akinfenwa believes

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Akinfenwa believesCredit: Getty

Akinfenwa agrees that after showing the Premier League shown, Delap does not want to be a bench.

“People talk about being signed as part of the squad, but I think he is greater than that,” said the former Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon Star.

“I think he will think in his head: ‘I’ll be the guy, I will go and play’. He will be the captain.

“If you take a look at how many games Chelsea will play, he knows that he will get a lot of playing time and it is that he takes his opportunity.

“And when you have the caliber of the player Chelsea, he scored goals at Ipswich, but how many other goals will he score when he plays with Cole Palmer and Reece James balls in the box?

“I think it’s a good signing. I just don’t understand how and I will say arsenal because they are those who are for a striker.

Arsenal fan insists that you should have signed Liam Delap in January Transfer window