‘Scary’ Tottenham striker signing on as jaw-dropping salary hike revealed
The corridors of power at Tottenham Hotspur are buzzing with anticipation as Daniel Levy prepares what could become one of the shrewdest signings of the summer window.
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap has emerged as Tottenham’s primary striking target, with the club reportedly ready to trigger the 22-year-old’s £30 million relegation release clause – a figure that represents astonishing value for a player once described as having “scary potential” by BBC pundit Liam Rosenior.
Tottenham’s need for attacking reinforcement has become increasingly urgent throughout a season plagued by inconsistent finishing.
While Dominic Solanke has shown flashes of brilliance since his club-record arrival, recurring injury issues have disrupted his rhythm, and the impending departure of Richarlison leaves a significant void in the forward line.
Delap’s explosive pace, physical presence, and improving finishing make him an ideal candidate to provide both competition and cover for Solanke, offering Ange Postecoglou – or potentially a new manager – a different tactical dimension up front.
The financial mechanics of this potential deal reveal why Levy sees such appeal in Delap. Compared to the £50-60 million fees being quoted for other young English strikers like Evan Ferguson or Cameron Archer, Delap’s £30 million escape clause represents a rare bargain in today’s inflated market.
His 12 Championship goals this season, coupled with his relentless work rate and ability to link play, suggest he’s ready to make the step up to Premier League football.
However, the transfer comes with significant wage demands that could reshape Tottenham’s salary structure.
Currently earning £36,000 per week at Portman Road, Delap is expected to demand a £150,000 weekly package – a figure that would immediately place him among Tottenham’s top earners:
- Son Heung-min: £200,000
- James Maddison: £170,000
- Cristian Romero: £165,000
- Timo Werner: £160,000 (loan ending)
- Potential Delap deal: £150,000
Such a salary would represent a 316% pay increase for the young striker, reflecting both his self-belief and the intense competition for his signature.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Everton have all been credited with serious interest, though Tottenham’s project – potentially featuring Europa League or even Champions League football next season – may hold particular appeal.
The strategic implications of this move extend beyond the pitch. At 22, Delap fits perfectly within Tottenham’s recent model of investing in young, high-potential assets who can appreciate in value.
His pedigree as a Manchester City academy product and England U21 international suggests there’s considerable room for development, making this a potential bargain that could pay dividends for years to come.
From a tactical perspective, Delap’s skill set offers Postecoglou intriguing options. His ability to run channels and hold up play would provide an outlet for Tottenham’s creative midfielders, while his physicality adds a different dimension to their attacking play.
Having learned under Kieran McKenna’s progressive system at Ipswich, he’s already well-versed in the pressing game that Postecoglou demands from his forwards.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Tottenham can fend off rival interest to secure Delap’s signature. With Levy personally driving the pursuit and the player reportedly open to the move, all signs point to an aggressive summer approach.
Should this deal come to fruition, it could represent a masterstroke in value-driven recruitment – the kind of signing that transforms a club’s attacking options without breaking the bank.
For Delap, the opportunity to develop under Postecoglou’s attacking philosophy at a club with Tottenham’s infrastructure could accelerate his development exponentially.
For Spurs, it’s a chance to secure one of England’s most promising young strikers at a fraction of his potential future value. In the high-stakes game of Premier League recruitment, this is precisely the type of calculated gamble that can redefine a club’s trajectory.