Pep Guardiola's mistake can be Man Utd's gain as Ruben Amorim told to go and get £40m star

Alan Shearer has heaped praise on forward Liam Delap, asserting that he is operating at a higher level than the strikers currently leading the line for Manchester United and Chelsea. The England U21 international has delivered a standout campaign at Portman Road, notching 11 goals in the despite Ipswich's struggles.

With eight fixtures left to play and a nine-point gap separating them from safety, Kieran McKenna's team are facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Their survival hopes hinge on discovering consistent form fast - starting with Saturday's clash against on home turf. Delap, 22, made a £20million move to Ipswich from Manchester City last summer, becoming the latest in a line of academy products to leave the Etihad in search of first-team football - following in the footsteps of , Romeo Lavia, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Cole Palmer.

Now, after just one season with the Suffolk club, has tipped him for another significant transfer - even if Ipswich remain in the top flight. "Ipswich fans won't want to hear it, but it's inevitable that he'll be linked with massive football clubs because he's a really good talent," the Newcastle United legend told Betfair.

"They're sat on something special are Ipswich. They put their neck on the line and paid the money for him and they've done very well with him. Delap has stood out this season which unfortunately means that he will attract the attention of the big clubs."

Shearer continued: "It's going to be very difficult for Ipswich to keep hold of him, particularly because if, as expected, they're going to get relegated. Having had a taste of the Premier League, he won't want to go back to the Championship."

With several top-tier teams likely to hunt for a new striker this summer, Delap's performances have undoubtedly boosted his profile. Shearer even contends that Delap outshines the attacking options currently available to both Ruben Amorim and

"Big clubs will be looking at him, because I think he's got something about him," Shearer added. "He's got an arrogance about him, which I really like and he's got an aura."

"He's already been linked with a number of clubs in the Premier League and looking at who he's been linked with I think he can go in and command a starting role, because he's better than anything Man Utd have got up front. He's also better than anything Chelsea have got up front, so the answer is simple - yes, he would start for those clubs."

Although Delap left City, manager Pep Guardiola made it clear he never doubted the young striker's potential. "He's doing really well," the Spaniard said back in January. "Many players came up from this academy. They are set up perfectly in the Premier League.

"When he was here, always we thought he was a typical striker for the Premier League. He's doing really well and we're happy for him."

Reportedly, Delap's current deal includes should Ipswich be relegated - a figure that may entice suitors like United to make a move. However, any potential buy-back option from City could complicate matters.