Ipswich Town can replace Liam Delap easily - These 3 strikers would be perfect for Kieran McKenna | OneFootball

With Liam Delap's Ipswich Town departure imminent, FLW have highlighted three potential replacements for the forward this summer

Liam Delap has been the positive note in a largely disappointing season for Ipswich Town, but the striker’s departure from Portman Road looks almost unavoidable this summer. A host of top-flight teams, including Chelsea and Newcastle, are rumoured to hold an interest in the 22-year-old, but Manchester United is thought to be the forward’s preferred destination, according to TalkSPORT.

14 goal contributions in the Premier League this season has warranted such attention, made even more impressive by the level of Ipswich’s declining competitiveness throughout the campaign.

With his exit imminent, Football League World takes a look at three strikers the Tractor Boys should consider as they attempt to replace the departing Delap.

Richard Kone

If Ipswich are looking to replace their talisman with a similar profile of player, Richard Kone fits the bill perfectly.

Young, athletic and a focal point to build an attack around, Kone could be a sensation for the Tractor Boys if he can continue the flying form he has enjoyed with Wycombe Wanderers this year.

The 21-year-old has been a goalscoring revelation for the Chairboys this season, and has firmly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the EFL.

Kone has already been linked with a move to Ipswich as per Graeme Bailey, which shows that the recruitment team have already sounded him out as a potential replacement for Delap.

21 goal contributions in League One this term hasn’t been ignored, and could potentially end up being a deal Ipswich could make money on in the future, given the forward’s endless potential.

There is a potential risk surrounding the move, as the Ivorian hasn’t played second-tier football previously. Therefore, if Ipswich are looking for a striker guaranteed to make an instant impact, they may think twice about Kone.

That said, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives when it comes to signing the starlet, a move the club should definitely revisit this summer.

Elijah Adebayo

Although both he and Luton Town struggled this season, performances in years gone by have shown exactly what Elijah Adebayo is capable of in the Championship.

It takes a certain level of ability to bag double figures in the Premier League, made even more impressive by achieving the feat in just 27 games.

Again, Adebayo has a very similar profile to Delap, which means Kieran McKenna wouldn’t have to restructure his system to fit the forward in.

Luton’s relegation to the third-tier would also make the deal easier from a financial point of view, as the club look to deal with the fiscal ramifications of League One football – especially when they spent a sizeable amount on Premier League infrastructure two years prior.

His physical, high-intensity playing style is exactly what McKenna and the Tractor Boys look for in a player, and would be a deal that makes sense all round.

Under the right manager and back in a competitive squad, the 27-year-old could put this season’s woes behind him and get back to his best with Ipswich next year.

Josh Maja

In what would prove to be a slightly less realistic, but massively ambitious move from Ipswich, taking Josh Maja from West Brom would be a immediate way of stating real intent upon returning to the Championship.

With parachute payments and the money from Delap’s sale, McKenna and Co. should be able to spend handsomely on a new forward, and not many looked more capable in the division this year than Maja.

His record speaks for itself – 12 goals and two assists in 26 Championship games is an impressive return, one which could arguably be bettered in a stronger team next year.

Although West Brom would be extremely reluctant to let the forward go, if Ipswich could capatalise on the current uncertainty surrounding the club, they may be able to strike a deal for Maja.

A new manager coming in at the Hawthorns may opt to take the sizeable fee the forward’s sale would command, and reinvest it elsewhere in the squad.

Much like the other two suggestions, the 26-year-old would replicate Delap’s profile in the team and suit McKenna’s system.

Maja would bring assurance over his current Championship capabilities and if utilised correctly, could play an instrumental role in helping Ipswich return to the Premier League next season.