West Ham Urged to Pursue Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap After Jhon Duran Snub

Former West Ham United midfielder Martin Allen has urged the club to shift their focus to Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap after their failed attempt to sign Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran.

West Ham had reportedly tabled a £57 million bid for the Colombian international, but Aston Villa swiftly rejected the offer, with reports suggesting that Unai Emery’s side values Duran at over £80 million. With Villa unwilling to sell him for anything less, Duran now appears to be heading for a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr instead, leaving the Hammers scrambling for alternative striking options.

In light of this, Allen has encouraged West Ham’s management to turn their attention toward Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who has been one of the standout players for the newly promoted club this season. The 21-year-old English forward has impressed with his performances, despite Ipswich currently sitting 19th in the Premier League table.

Allen Urges West Ham to Test Ipswich’s Resolve with a £60m Bid

Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Allen stated that if West Ham were willing to bid £57 million for Duran, they should consider going even higher and testing Ipswich’s resolve with a £60 million offer for Delap.

“If West Ham have bid £57m for Duran, I would definitely bid £60m for Delap and test the waters with Ipswich to see if there is a deal to be done. I would definitely take him. I think he’s a really good player, for me he is on the way up and there is a lot more to see. I think he’d be a really good signing, definitely.”

Allen believes Delap would be an excellent addition to the squad and could flourish under West Ham’s system. He also emphasized that Delap’s career is still on the rise, and his potential has not yet been fully realized, making him an ideal long-term investment.

Liam Delap’s Rise and Why West Ham Are Interested

Liam Delap, the son of former Premier League midfielder Rory Delap, came through Manchester City’s academy but struggled for first-team opportunities at the Etihad. In July 2024, Ipswich Town secured Delap on a five-year contract, and since then, he has been one of their best players in the top flight.

So far this season, Delap has made 22 Premier League appearances, scoring eight goals. His pace, strength, and eye for goal have made him a key figure in Kieran McKenna’s side, and his performances have attracted interest from multiple clubs, including West Ham.

Given West Ham’s urgent need for a first-team-ready striker, Delap could be an ideal solution. Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio are currently sidelined with injuries, leaving manager Graham Potter short of attacking options. With the transfer window closing on February 3, the Hammers may need to move quickly if they want to bring in reinforcements.

West Ham’s Transfer Strategy: Will They Flex Their Financial Muscle?

West Ham’s willingness to bid £57 million for Duran shows that the club is prepared to spend big on a striker. While Delap may not yet have the same international reputation as Duran, his potential and current Premier League experience make him an attractive target.

Ipswich, however, could demand a hefty fee for their star man, considering his importance to the team. If West Ham were to meet Allen’s suggested £60 million valuation, Ipswich would face a tough decision—cash in on Delap or hold on to him in their fight for Premier League survival.

With just days left in the transfer window, it remains to be seen whether West Ham will act on Allen’s advice and make a move for Delap, or if they will turn their attention to other targets in their search for attacking reinforcements.