Former striker warns Ipswich forward against rushing into Old Trafford move amid Chelsea and West Ham interest
Ex-Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has advised Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap to think twice before jumping at the chance to join Manchester United, suggesting West Ham would be a more sensible next step for the 22-year-old’s career.
Delap was one of the few bright spots in a dismal Premier League season for Ipswich. He has netted 12 Premier League goals in 35 games, a respectable return in a team that spent much of the campaign scrapping near the bottom of the table. With Ipswich set to return to the Championship, Delap is in line for a high-profile move.
A reported £30 million release clause in his contract has sparked a scramble for his signature, with Chelsea and United both linked. But Agbonlahor believes an Old Trafford move would not be the right one now for the forward.
Manchester United are planning a squad rebuild in the summer, with uncertainties surrounding the future of most of their squad. Many observers, including club legends, have also questioned whether the club can offer the best environment for young forwards right now. Meanwhile, West Ham are expected to be in the market for a new striker, with the 35-year-old Michail Antonio nearing the end of his career and on-loan Evan Ferguson likely to return to Brighton after a mixed spell.
“If I was him, I wouldn’t be going there,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT. “I wouldn’t stay at Ipswich, I’d go to West Ham, go and prove yourself at West Ham, the next step. They need a striker, Evan Ferguson will go back to Brighton, it hasn’t worked out.”
At West Ham, Delap could slot into a squad looking to refresh its attacking options and offer him a chance to continue honing his skills in the Premier League. However, the allure of playing for a top club might be difficult to ignore.
