Sources: 
The 2025 summer transfer window has seen Liam Delap, a promising young striker with a £30 million relegation release clause, close to completing a move away from Ipswich Town. Despite Arsenal's well-documented striker crisis, the club failed to secure Delap, drawing sharp criticism from former striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Akinfenwa expressed his disbelief on talkSPORT, stating,
"I don’t understand how Arsenal didn’t snap him up. I don’t understand how, when you need a striker and you’re looking at the transfer market, £30m is chump change in today’s market."Delap's availability at a relatively affordable price was seen as an ideal opportunity for Arsenal to bolster their attacking options. However, reports indicate that Delap is undergoing a medical to finalize a transfer to another club, believed to be Stamford Bridge.
This situation highlights Arsenal's ongoing challenges in the transfer market amid a pressing need for a centre-forward. The missed opportunity to sign Delap, who is young and has a release clause making him accessible, raises questions about the club's transfer strategy and urgency.
The summer window is active with many clubs making moves, but Arsenal's failure to act decisively on Delap stands out, especially given the striker shortage they face.
Key quote: "£30m is chump change in today’s market," Akinfenwa emphasized.
Key stat: Liam Delap's contract includes a
£30 million relegation release clause making him an affordable target.
This episode underscores the competitive nature of the transfer window and the critical importance of timely decisions in addressing squad needs.
Sources: Adebayo Akinfenwa criticized Arsenal for missing out on signing Liam Delap, who has a £30 million release clause amid the club's striker shortage. Delap is close to joining another team, raising questions about Arsenal's transfer strategy during the 2025 summer window.
