Arsenal Have Joined the Race to Sign £30m Premier League Star – Report | OneFootball

Arsenal Target Liam Delap as Berta Ushers in Bold Transfer Strategy Shift

Arsenal’s recruitment drive has taken a notable turn under newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta, as the Gunners eye up promising Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. According to FootballTransfers, the 21-year-old is now on a growing shortlist that also includes Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins — signalling a major pivot in the club’s transfer approach.

Berta, the former Atletico Madrid chief, appears determined to bring immediate success to North London. “Sources say Berta was clear from day one: Arsenal need to win now,” the report states, a sentiment that frames every recent move emerging from the Emirates.

Gone, it seems, is the gradual project of unearthing raw talent and nurturing it into stardom. In its place: a pragmatic and focused pursuit of players ready to deliver today, not tomorrow.

Delap and Watkins Symbolise Arsenal’s Two-Tiered Plan

The inclusion of both Delap and Watkins in Arsenal’s plans offers a glimpse into Berta’s dual-pronged striker policy. Watkins is viewed as “oven-ready to lead the line,” with his Premier League pedigree offering proven quality. Delap, meanwhile, is described as a “valuable rotational option” — younger, physically imposing, and still developing.

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It’s a strategy built not only on immediate firepower but also squad balance. As reported by FootballTransfers, “The inclusion of both players speaks to the club’s new two-striker plan – one proven Premier League name, and another younger option who offers flexibility, potential and sell-on value.”

There is also a notable shift away from the kind of signing Arsenal fans have come to expect. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, once a hot prospect for the Gunners, now finds himself out of immediate contention. “While still admired internally, the 20-year-old is no longer seen as a top priority under Berta’s direction,” the report adds.

Berta’s Fingerprints All Over Arsenal’s New Identity

Since his arrival, Berta has wasted no time imprinting his philosophy on the club’s transfer dealings. At the start of the season, Mikel Arteta and Edu were still firmly rooted in the youth-first recruitment model. That is now on the shelf. “The focus is firmly on bringing in players who can make an immediate impact,” notes FootballTransfers.

It’s not just a reactionary shift — it’s a calculated move to align Arsenal with the elite clubs of Europe. Competing for titles means prioritising experience and maturity, even if that means bypassing young stars like Sesko for players already proven in the top flight.

Berta’s rejection of a move for Alvaro Morata, despite Arteta’s suggestion, further illustrates his clarity. “Berta dismissed it – insisting Watkins was the better fit,” says the article, underscoring the new director’s no-nonsense approach.

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Depth and Versatility Key to Summer Plans

The move for a second striker – someone like Delap – is not a luxury, but a tactical necessity. Arsenal have long suffered from a lack of depth up front, with injuries and form fluctuations often leaving the club short of options. Delap, currently enjoying a strong campaign at Ipswich Town, could fill that gap.

While still raw, his physicality and presence in front of goal have impressed Berta. In the Championship this season, Delap has grown into a more mature, aggressive forward, making himself a viable option in the top flight. His current ETV sits at €33 million, and his inclusion in Arsenal’s plans indicates a growing belief in his ceiling.

Berta’s summer window could reshape the squad, and Delap’s name being in the frame suggests a more aggressive, targeted build-up of resources for a genuine title push.

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For Arsenal fans, there’s reason to be both optimistic and slightly anxious.

On one hand, Andrea Berta’s “win now” approach is a breath of fresh air. Too often, Arsenal have been guilty of over-indexing on potential, only to fall short in key moments due to inexperience or inconsistency. Bringing in players like Ollie Watkins, who are already thriving in the Premier League, makes perfect sense if the goal is to lift silverware next season.

But it’s the link with Liam Delap that raises eyebrows. While he has shown flashes of promise, he’s still very much unproven at the Premier League level. Spending upwards of €30 million on a rotational striker from the Championship could be seen as a gamble — especially when Arsenal fans had their hopes set on the likes of Sesko or even Ivan Toney.

There’s also a philosophical concern. Moving away from youth-centric recruitment could alienate the identity that Arteta and Edu worked hard to build. What happens to the academy products? Or to talents like Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly who were meant to be the future?

Ultimately, it’s a high-stakes gamble. If Berta’s plan works, Arsenal could finally go the distance in both the Premier League and Champions League. If it doesn’t, the club may find itself with a bloated wage bill and an identity crisis.

For now, cautious optimism seems to be the tone — but the pressure is firmly on for results.