Gary Lineker has made a leftfield suggestion, claiming Arsenal should consider a move for Ipswich Town's Liam Delap.
The Tractor Boys bought the young striker from Manchester City last summer and he received a lot of playing time, which benefited his development. Despite playing for the relegation-threatened team, Delap has found the net eight times this season.
The 21-year-old has already scored against Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa this season. Arsenal themselves have had constant problems in the final third, with the Gunners largely operating without a recognized striker and instead playing Kai Havertz as a false nine.
Mikel Arteta has been urged to dive into the market for a productive frontman but has opted against it – a decision that continues to haunt him. Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United was another example of Arsenal dominating a match but ultimately ending up on the wrong side of the scoreboard as they failed to take their chances – leading to more calls to sign a striker .
Alan Shearer said: “I said it at the start of the season, I felt they were [Arsenal] That is necessary and I think it could possibly cost them the competition if they did not invest in that position.”
Micah Richards then added: “It's difficult, you can't just go and get a number 9, there aren't that many in world football. The one I looked at as maybe for the short term was Osimhen. The problems that He was at Napoli, he may be on loan to Turkey, but he is a proven goalscorer at that level, including in the Champions League. Of course I'm sure Arsenal would like to have someone like Isak.”
Lineker agreed with his surprising suggestion: “Or they could go for a young, up-and-coming one because once they're proven you can't get them, but I can see someone like Delap really having something about him.” .”
Ipswich would likely find it difficult to resist an offer, especially if they can make a notable profit on the £20 million they spent to re-sign Delap this summer. However, Kieran McKenna is confident his striker will stay, especially if they hope to avoid defeat.
He said: “As far as January is concerned, we have no interest in anything other than Liam being at the football club and he has no interest in focusing on anything other than playing for Ipswich Town and trying to improve every week.
“Apart from that, I think as a football club we should be proud that players come here and improve, and that the best teams in the world look at some of our players because of the level at which they operate. “
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