Ipswich Town have reportedly been impressed by Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but could face competition from Sunderland for his signature.
The Blues were beaten 4-2 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, and the defeat means they will remain in 18th place with just 17 points during the March international break.
Despite their struggles this campaign, striker Liam Delap has seemingly caught the attention of numerous clubs in the top flight, with the likes of Manchester United said to be interested in his signature.
It is difficult to see how boss Kieran McKenna can convince Delap to stay at the club should they be relegated to the Championship, and he will likely have to look for a successor in the transfer market.
Hearts striker Shankland has been touted as a potential signing in the summer, but Graeme Bailey has told NotTheOldFirm that Sunderland may make a move for the forward.
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Shankland's profile
Shankland has been at Hearts since 2022-23, but the 29-year-old has endured a mixed campaign this term so far, only scoring four goals in 25 top-flight appearances for the Scottish side.
To his credit, the striker has managed to provide a personal best of six assists in the league in 2024-25, but his total of 10 goals and assists is currently 18 fewer than he totalled in 2023-24.
It should be noted that Hearts are on track to record just 43 points in the regular season, 19 points fewer than they accumulated last term, so perhaps his poor form has coincided with the struggles of his teammates.
Delap is only 22 years old, and Shankland's age means he is unlikely to come in as a long-term replacement, but he could help provide Ipswich with a similar physical profile up front.
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Sunderland competition
The Hearts striker is out of contract at the end of the season and is sure to have a host of suitors, particularly clubs interested in signing a capable forward with experience in front of goal.
If Ipswich signed him and were able to get him back to his best he could pose a formidable threat in the Championship, and having played 37 league games in each of the past two full seasons, Shankland's fitness record could prove invaluable for what is sure to be a demanding 2025-26 campaign.
However, Sunderland are fourth in the Championship table and have a realistic chance of promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, and the lure of playing in England's top flight could prove decisive in any transfer battle.
McKenna would undoubtedly prefer to keep Delap rather than be forced into making a signing, but he will almost certainly have to make contingency plans if he is to guide Ipswich back to the top flight.
Lewis Nolan
