Sky Sports: £25m Newcastle target now ‘close’ to agreeing Man Utd move

The summer transfer window is heating up with concerning developments for Newcastle United, as Manchester United appear poised to swoop for not one but two of the Magpies’ prime attacking targets.

Sky Sports reports indicate the Red Devils are closing in on a £25 million deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, while Wolves’ Matheus Cunha also seems destined for Old Trafford in what could become a double blow to Eddie Howe’s recruitment plans.

Delap’s situation has evolved rapidly since Ipswich’s relegation activated his £25 million release clause. The 22-year-old marksman, who netted 12 goals during his maiden Premier League campaign despite playing for the division’s bottom club, has attracted widespread interest.

Yet Manchester United have surged ahead in the race, with Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol revealing the deal is now “close” and that Delap is willing to join regardless of whether United secure Champions League football through Europa League success.

This represents a significant shift from earlier reports suggesting Delap would prioritize European football in his next move.

Newcastle’s hopes of leveraging their likely continental qualification appear diminished as the former Manchester City academy product opts for the brighter lights of Old Trafford.

The potential signing demonstrates United’s determination to refresh their attacking options under expected new manager Ruben Amorim, while simultaneously dealing a psychological blow to a direct rival.

Comparative Analysis: Delap’s 2023/24 Premier League Campaign

The disappointment compounds for Newcastle as Wolves’ Matheus Cunha also appears Old Trafford-bound. The Brazilian forward’s £62.5 million release clause hasn’t deterred United’s interest, creating a worrying pattern of the Magpies losing out on primary targets to their northwest rivals.

Cunha’s versatility – capable of playing across the frontline – would have perfectly complemented Newcastle’s need for both a right-sided attacker and rotational striker behind Alexander Isak.

These developments raise questions about Newcastle’s pulling power in a transfer market increasingly distorted by financial disparities.

While the club has made significant strides under Saudi ownership, the allure of Manchester United’s global brand and historical prestige continues to outweigh Newcastle’s recent progress and more stable sporting project.

The situation echoes January’s frustration when Manchester City hijacked Newcastle’s move for Abdukodir Khusanov despite Paul Mitchell’s groundwork.

For Newcastle’s recruitment team, the challenge now becomes identifying alternative targets who can provide similar qualities without the intense competition driving up prices.

The club’s reported interest in players like Nico Williams and Viktor Tsygankov suggests they’re casting a wide net, but losing consecutive battles to direct rivals will test the resolve of a fanbase expecting the club to compete at the highest level.

As the summer window approaches, these early skirmishes could set the tone for Newcastle’s transfer business. While Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) constraints have eased somewhat, the club still can’t match the financial firepower of Manchester’s elite.

Their success may depend on unearthing less obvious gems or convincing players that St James’ Park offers a clearer pathway to regular football than the revolving door of Old Trafford.

One thing is certain – if Newcastle are to bridge the gap to the Premier League’s established powers, they’ll need to start winning these head-to-head battles sooner rather than later.

The Delap saga suggests there’s still work to be done in convincing top young talents that Tyneside represents the ideal stage for their development, regardless of Manchester United’s enduring allure.