Ipswich Town should consider Millwall FC transfer swoop as Liam Delap exit looms | OneFootball

Mihailo Ivanovic could be an ideal Liam Delap replacement this summer.

Ipswich Town's return to the Premier League hasn't lived up to expectations, with Kieran McKenna's side suffering relegation four games short of the conclusion of the season.

Despite showing occasional flashes of quality, a dismal run in 2025 which saw them win just one league game has ultimately sealed their fate.

In the summer, Ipswich had the second-highest net spend, and it is one of those arrivals that has attracted heavy interest following the club's relegation. That player is, of course, Liam Delap, who now finds himself the subject of growing attention due to a £30 million release clause in his contract, triggered by the team's return to the Championship. Chelsea and Manchester United are the two frontrunners for his signature.

Having scored 12 Premier League goals in a relegated side, it’s little surprise that Delap is attracting attention. His performances for Ipswich have showcased a level of quality that extends well beyond his goal tally during a brief but impressive stint at Portman Road.

Should he depart, the Tractor Boys will be in the market for a replacement, and one intriguing - if somewhat unexpected - option could be Millwall’s Mihailo Ivanovic.

Mihailo Ivanovic - Liam Delap's replacement

In all likelihood, Ipswich's squad on the opening weekend of the Championship in 2025-26 won't contain Delap, but one man it could and possibly should have in it is Ivanovic.

The 20-year-old striker arrived at Millwall for a fee in the region of £3 million in the summer and the youngster has impressed despite his inexperienced outlook.

In total, he has featured in 36 matches this season, starting 22 of them and scoring 11 goals.

His form towards the end of the campaign has been particularly impressive, to the point where Millwall have found themselves back in contention for a play-off spot heading into the final day. That said, taking three points away at Burnley remains a formidable challenge.

For the Tractor Boys, he would represent an ideal signing. Young, prolific, and with the potential to develop into a genuine star, he embodies the very profile of player Ipswich sought in last summer’s window.

In a more creative and expansive side, his goal tally could well soar, but he also possesses the rare quality for a striker of being able to create chances for himself - an attribute he shares with Liam Delap.

Mihailo Ivanovic could cost Ipswich a hefty fee

If Ipswich are to consider Ivanovic as a potential replacement, they will need to weigh up the likely cost of securing his services. With 11 goals to his name, a Young Player of the Season award at Millwall, and a "long-term" contract signed upon his arrival, he is unlikely to come cheap.

The Tractor Boys would almost certainly need to make a firm financial commitment to prise him away from The Den, but, of course, Delap's £30 million sale would have to be factored into this.

For the Lions, he clearly isn't a player they want to lose, but FLW's Millwall pundit has admitted that a "£10 million" offer would be satisfactory for his services.

It will be interesting to see whether the Serbian attracts interest this summer, with a number of leading Championship clubs - and potentially some from the Premier League - keeping a close eye on his situation.