Key Newcastle United development emerges in Chelsea, Man United transfer battle for Ipswich Town player | OneFootball

Delap is holding crucial talks with Eddie Howe ahead of a potential Magpies move

Newcastle United are holding showdown talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as they aim to convince him to move to St James' Park ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton in the upcoming transfer window.

The Tractor Boys' efforts to survive in their first top-flight campaign in 22 years were ultimately in vain, as their drop back to the second-tier was confirmed with defeat to Newcastle last month, with four games still to play.

Star striker Delap's future looks set to lie away from Portman Road, following his impressive individual exploits throughout the campaign. He is a wanted man this summer as a result of his strong form, and Newcastle are hoping to move ahead of their transfer rivals following key talks between the 22-year-old, his representatives, and Magpies boss Eddie Howe.

Newcastle hold critical Liam Delap transfer talks amid Premier League rival interest

22-year-old Delap has burst onto the scene in the top-flight with Ipswich in the last season, with 12 league goals in his maiden Premier League campaign despite Kieran McKenna's side having their relegation to the Championship confirmed with four games still to play last month.

Ipswich's relegation means that interested clubs have been put on high alert for his signature ahead of the summer window, after it was revealed that his current contract has a £30m release clause that numerous top sides are understandably keen on exercising.

Chelsea have been credited with major interest in his services, while Man United have been claimed to be in pole position to sign him in the coming months and Everton manager David Moyes has confirmed that the Toffees have also held talks with his camp.

Newcastle, however, are looking to take major steps towards securing his signature this week, with TEAMtalk confirming that Magpies boss Eddie Howe and club officials are sitting down with Delap’s representatives for 'showdown talks' to convince him that a switch to St James’ Park is best for his career.

The Tyneside outfit are able to offer the 22-year-old a crack at Champions League football next season, after finishing fifth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and TEAMtalk state that they are willing to offer him a significant pay rise on his current deal with Ipswich that sees him earn an apparent £20,000 per week.

Delap has a huge decision to make - he needs playing-time guarantees to join Newcastle

Few players have to make as big a decision regarding their future at such a young age in football as the one that faces Delap this summer, and he will have to choose his next destination very carefully, as it could well dictate his career for years to come in either a positive or negative way.

He has long been highly-rated from his time at Manchester City, and while Newcastle is certainly an attractive option, his openness to a St James' Park move will likely be dictated by the amount of game-time he feels he is going to get next season if Alexander Isak remains at the club.

Isak is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and could well be on the move himself this summer as he looks to take the next step in his career to join a title-chasing side either in England or abroad, but the Magpies' Champions League qualification means he is much more likely to stay for at least another year.

In fact, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein revealed before their top-five finish was confirmed that the Swedish international would be "going nowhere" if they sealed a place in Europe's premier club competition, so it is clear that Delap would be playing second-fiddle if he was to join Newcastle anytime soon.

With that in mind, a move to any one of Chelsea, Man United or Everton would surely represent a better opportunity to become a first-choice Premier League striker once more for the 22-year-old, which, at this stage of his fledgling career, is surely his main priority.