Newcastle United scouts get easy job on Saturday as £30m target set to play at St James' Park

Some lucky Newcastle United scouts get to spend a weekend at home this week as one striker target comes to them rather than the other way around.

Ipswich Town come to St James' Park on Saturday and will bring with them 22-year-old striker Liam Delap who Newcastle have earmarked as a potential summer target.

The forward graduated from Manchester City's academy and made a £20m move to Ipswich in the summer.

This season Delap has managed 13 goals in the Premier League as Ipswich tried and failed to spend more than one season in the top flight - their relegation will be confirmed on Saturday should they fail to win at Newcastle and/or West Ham pick up a single point against Brighton.

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Ipswich's relegation will activate a £30m release clause for Liam Delap

When the inevitable happens and Ipswich are relegated, that will confirm the activation of Liam Delap's £30 million release clause, which will likely lead to a scramble as several clubs are keen on the talented youngster.

Newcastle will be joined by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and, of course, as he draws breath and has two working legs, Chelsea.

Ipswich are resigned to losing Delap unless he's hit by a sudden case of loyalty to a club where he spent one season, which seems pretty unlikely.

Would Liam Delap be the better option for Newcastle over Jonathan David?

Newcastle desperately need a new striker this summer to compete with Alexander Isak, and given that centre-forwards come with a hefty premium, picking up a 22-year-old striker with Premier League experience for just £30 million would be an absolute dream scenario.

Ideally, of course, Newcastle would be the destination for Lille striker Jonathan David when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season, but we have very little confidence in that dream becoming a reality.

In truth, while £30 million is obviously not quite as good as free, Liam Delap could be a better option. He's a few years younger than David and is first-team ready, but won't be put off by fighting with Alexander Isak for superiority.

Not just that, though, if Delap has been paying any attention to Newcastle under Eddie Howe, he's likely to be itching to move to Tyneside having seen what Howe's golden touch can do to players.