Southampton look set to miss out on one of their main transfer targets this summer, with the player opting to sign for another newly-promoted club.
Russell Martin has seen his Southampton squad bolstered by five signings already this summer in what has been a good start to the transfer window.
Last season’s loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis made his deal permanent and has been joined by three more defensive recruits in Charlie Taylor, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood.
The other arrival is 36-year-old Adam Lallana who has joined for free following the end of his Brighton contract.
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Martin is keen to add at least one new striker to his Saints squad this summer, but the club look set to be left disappointed as a £20 million target is set to instead join Ipswich Town.
Liam Delap has ‘chosen’ Ipswich Town over Southampton
Southampton have been linked with a move for Liam Delap, with the Manchester City striker considered a player who could boost their survival chances in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old son of former Saint Rory, Liam has made six appearances for Manchester City but spent last season on loan at Championship side Hull City.
Delap was decent if not prolific at Hull, scoring eight goals in 31 league games, but the experience would have been invaluable to the England under-21 international.
Martin is a fan of the player, but latest reports suggest that Southampton will have to now look elsewhere as Delap has chosen to sign for Ipswich despite the Saints having an offer accepted by Manchester City.
That is according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who posted on ‘X’: Ipswich Town reach agreement with Manchester City to sign Liam Delap.
Fee £15 + £5 million. 21-year-old England youth international set to do medical on Wednesday. Personal terms no problem. Manchester City have similar agreement with Southampton but striker has chosen Ipswich’.
Could missing out on Delap be blessing in disguise for Southampton?
Whilst it will be disappointed to have missed out on Delap, particularly to a side they are likely to be competing with to stay in the division, it could work out for the best.
Whilst the striker is clearly a highly-rated young talent, his goal record of 12 goals in 68 Championship games across three loan spells does not instil confidence that Delap can score goals in the Premier League immediately.
If Southampton were to spend £20 million on a striker, scoring the goals to keep them in the division is exactly the criteria they must fulfil.
Missing out on Delap should see the St Mary’s club re-evaluate their options in the transfer market and perhaps target a more proven top flight goalscorer, much to the relief of many of their supporters.