Newcastle remain interested in Liam Delap after summer setback | OneFootball

Newcastle United are in the market for a striker again and reportedly still have eyes for Liam Delap, according to Craig Hope.

The Magpies had been sniffing around Delap before he joined Chelsea last summer, and they are still interested in his services.

Newcastle missed out on several striker targets before eventually forking out a massive sum to sign Nick Woltemade.

However, the German striker has struggled at the Tyneside outfit. He has managed only 10 goals in 43 appearances for the Geordies since joining.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has lost confidence in him as a starting striker and has been utilising him in midfield.

They need a new centre-forward this summer. Enter Delap.

The Englishman has struggled to get a look-in at Chelsea following his £30 million transfer.

Two long injury lay-offs have not helped. Neither has Joao Pedro’s brilliant form.

Still, on his day, he is a terrific striking prospect blessed with speed, physicality, and incredible shot power.

Lauded as a ‘special talent’, he could enjoy a revival away from Chelsea.

Delap might be looking elsewhere for gametime this summer and can find it at St James’ Park.

In addition to the Chelsea man, the report mentions Dominic Solanke and Pio Esposito as striker targets.

Unfortunately, these names being floated hardly inspire confidence.

Delap, Solanke and Esposito do not exactly scream ambition for a club supposedly trying to cement its place among the elite.

None of them has shown the level of consistency or output required to elevate Newcastle United to the next tier.

In fact, the numbers make for grim reading. Between them, the trio have not even combined for 10 league goals this season.

That is a worrying return for players being considered to lead the line at a club with Champions League aspirations.

Newcastle must aim higher. Right now, this shortlist feels painfully underwhelming and unlikely to move the needle.

One name the Toons should be keeping tabs on is Strasbourg ace Joaquin Panichelli, who has bagged 14 goals in 25 Ligue 1 appearances this term.

The 23-year-old Argentine is a battering ram ready to take the Premier League by storm and represents a better investment than the trio above.