Why Liam Delap could be the PERFECT summer signing for Liverpool

It is no secret that Liverpool are in the market for a new striker this summer, they’ve been linked with pretty much every elite striker in Europe.

The no.9 spot isn’t the only position that the Reds need to strengthen when the transfer window opens, however. A number of players will need to be signed, and there will of course be a limited budget.

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One of the less high-profile names being linked with an Anfield switch is Liam Delap, who will reportedly be available for around £40 million should Ipswich be relegated.

Delap may not be the most exciting name associated with the Reds, but the 22-year-old is quietly enjoying a good debut season in the Premier League.

Liam Delap could be a good option for Liverpool

Although Delap had actually made two Premier League appearances before this season, both off the bench for Manchester City, this is the strikers first season as a fully-fledged Premier League player.

In 29 league appearances for Ipswich, Delap has scored 11 goals and provided two assists this campaign, including a goal in Wednesday's win over Bournemouth.

He’s actually overperformed his xG of 8.5.

For context, Delap has outscored every Liverpool player bar Mohamed Salah in the league this season.

The numbers aren’t indicative of a player that will arrive at Liverpool and score 25+ league goals next season, but that isn’t necessarily what the Reds need.

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Why Delap could be exactly what Liverpool need

It is unlikely that Salah will enjoy a season quite like this one again if he does remain at Liverpool beyond the summer, but there is absolutely no indication that he won’t be able to continue to act as the Reds main goal scorer.

It is difficult to say how Salah, and Liverpool as a whole, would react to another prolific goal scorer being added to the side and Delap represents a similar, although slightly better, option to what Liverpool already have.

Liverpool’s most effective no.9 over the past decade was unquestionably Roberto Firmino, but the Brazilian only outscored Delap’s current league tally in two of his eight seasons as a Red.

Even then, Firmino’s best return was only 15 league goals. The beauty of his game was what he offered outside of just scoring goals.

Delap profiles very differently to Firmino, but he could still allow Salah to thrive in the system he has become accustomed to.

READ MORE: Arne Slot has his new Liverpool no.9 and he cost just £12.5m

The finances of a Delap deal

Delap not stealing Salah’s limelight isn’t the only benefit in signing him.

As well as a reduced transfer fee, he is also likely to command a lesser wage to some of the other names Liverpool have been linked with.

According to Capology, Delap currently earns £20,000 a week at Ipswich. Let’s say Liverpool quadruple that figure to £80,000 a week and offer the Englishman a five-year deal, that would be roughly £21m due in wages over the course of the contract.

So you’re looking at about £60-65m all in to sign Delap this summer.

By comparison, Alexander Isak is likely to cost at least £120m in transfer fees alone. Plus a potential wage of at least £200,000 a week (£52m over five years). That’s at least £170m all in, not accounting for any agents’ fees or signing on bonuses.

Hugo Ekitike, another striker linked with a Merseyside switch, would reportedly cost €80 million (£67m). It’s fair to assume that a player arriving for that sum would want at least £100,000 a week in wages (£26m over five years). That’s a fee of at least £93m for Ekitike.

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In a summer in which Liverpool will be looking to strengthen multiple positions, with several signings needed, Liam Delap represents an affordable option - with Premier League experience - who won’t upset the applecart that is Arne Slot’s system.

Maybe he should be Liverpool’s priority come June?