Ipswich Town will need to add at least one striker to their ranks this summer. Stuart Watson picks out some potential targets.
ADAM ARMSTRONG
Former Newcastle youngster’s career really took off at Blackburn, with a 28-goal Championship season earning him a £15m switch to Premier League club Southampton in 2021.
Things haven’t quite worked out for the 26-year-old at St Mary’s though and, after netting just four times in two seasons, he faces an uncertain future following the club’s relegation.
The Sun reported that Ipswich are interested in the diminutive, dynamic and versatile forward back in April.
Armstrong, who started just two league games from January onwards as the Saints went down with a whimper, still has two years left on his deal and insists he wants to stay.
ELLIS SIMMS
Let go by Manchester City as a teenager, Simms joined Everton at the age of 16 and proved to be prolific at youth team level.
The 6ft 3in focal point front man then continued to score goals when out on loan at Blackpool (10 in 24, League One), Hearts (seven in 21, SPL) and Sunderland (seven in 17, Championship).
Impressive festive form for the Black Cats saw Simms recalled by the injury-hit Toffees in January. He subsequently made 11 Premier League appearances (two of them starts) and scored an important late equaliser at Chelsea.
Now heading into the final year of his contract and could be available to buy as Sean Dyche looks to rebuild his squad. The Sun has reported that Ipswich have lodged a £3.5m bid.
DANE SCARLETT
Remember when Town boss McKenna hit back at Danny Cowley’s ‘tracks and trips’ following a 3-2 home win against Portsmouth last October?
"One of the only players they have that doesn't have Championship experience is one of the best young strikers in world football, in my opinion, in Dane Scarlett,” said the Blues boss.
The 19-year-old was in-and-out of Pompey’s side last season and now returns to parent club Tottenham, whom he is contracted to until 2026.
England U20 international is skilful, direct and capable of playing in a number of forward positions. A potential loan addition.
GEORGE HIRST
A player who needs no introduction after his impressive loan spell at Town during the second half of last season. Tall and quick, he scored vital goals at Bolton, Derby and Barnsley.
The 24-year-old admitted he felt settled and happy at Portman Road, but remained coy about his future after the Blues secured promotion to the second-tier.
Will Leicester want to take a look at him following their relegation to the Championship? If so, will McKenna be willing to play the waiting game, or decide to move on to other targets? Let’s see.
MORE: Stuart Watson on whether loan duo will return to Portman Road
JERRY YATES
Versatile forward is a wanted man after scoring 15 goals for a Blackpool side that suffered relegation from the Championship.
The 26-year-old – who is effectively contracted at Bloomfield Road for another two years – has been linked to Ipswich, Luton, Coventry, West Brom and Bristol City this summer.
Tangerines boss Neil Critchley said: "You want your best players, and Jerry is definitely one of them, but you also want players who want to be here as well. That's something for us to discuss in the next few weeks."
The Sun reports one £2.5m bid from an unnamed club has been rejected this summer, with the Lancashire club valuing him at £4m.
LYNDON DYKES
Australia-born, 28-cap Scotland international joined QPR in a £2m deal from Livingston back in 2020 and has bagged 29 Championship goals over the last three seasons.
The 27-year-old is now heading into the final year of his contract at Loftus Road and, having reportedly turned down a new deal, could be sold this summer.
Michael Beale may be interested in a reunion at Rangers, while Blackburn and Millwall have also been linked.
“He battles, he harasses, he is selfless, he is a focal point, he has the personality which fans feed off. He is the ultimate target man,” was how The Scotsman once described Dykes.
WILL OSULA
Moved from Copenhagen, in his native Denmark, to join Sheffield United’s academy in 2018 and subsequently made his Blades debut at 18.
Teenager was linked to Ipswich last summer before joining Derby County on loan. Was restricted to just two league starts with the Rams (in one of which he scored a brace at Accrington) before being recalled in January.
Came on as a sub for Sheffield United a couple of times late on in the season after they’d secured promotion to the Premier League. Manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “If someone gets on the ball with the chance to play Will in, or play forward, Will's body language is so aggressive. He comes alive, he's alert. The rest of the time he's walking around like he's a space cadet. He is an absolute handful but has loads to learn. We think he's going to be a top player.”
Another potential loan option.
JAY STANSFIELD
Fulham striker looks destined for a loan spell in the Championship this season after impressing in League One with Exeter.
The 20-year-old provided nine goals and eight assists back at his boyhood club. He did so wearing the No.9 shirt that his father Adam Stansfield, who died of cancer in 2010, had worn for the Grecians.
A player Town coach Charlie Turnbull will know from his spell working in Fulham’s academy.
“He is a fantastic character, trains the right way, works extremely hard and he has the potential to be brilliant,” enthused Exeter boss Gary Caldwell.
TYREECE JOHN-JULES
Scored three goals in 17 appearances for Ipswich in the early stages of last season, showing flashes of his talent, before injuries struck.
“He was incredibly settled here and was a really, really popular part of the group,” said McKenna, when speaking about the Arsenal loanee in February.
The 22-year-old, who was invited back to take part in the promotion celebrations, is now in the final year of his contract at The Emirates.
Will Ipswich give him the settled home he seeks? Ability to play several forward roles would appeal.
AARON CONNOLLY
Made his Brighton debut at 17 and Republic of Ireland bow at 18. By the age of 21, had 45 Premier League appearances and eight international caps to his name.
Career has stalled over the last 18 months though with bit-part loan spells at Middlesbrough, Venezia and Hull.
Started off superbly with the Tigers in January, scoring twice in a home win against QPR, but a toe injury soon ended his campaign.
The 23-year-old, now in the final year of his contract with the Seagulls, admits he's 'not been professional enough' in the past, but insists his 'mindset has flipped'.
JOSH MAJA
London-born striker spent time at the academies of Crystal Palace, Fulham and Manchester City before turning pro at Sunderland.
After bagging 16 goals in the first half of the 2018/19 League One season, he moved to Bordeaux for a fee of around £3.5m in the January window - a transfer saga documented on the Netflix series 'Sunderland 'Til I Die'.
It was a slow start in France, with loans back in England with Fulham and Stoke coming in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Maja fired 17 goals for the second-tier club in the season just gone though and can now leave on a free transfer due to a clause in his contract. He's been linked to Rangers.
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MORE: Eight midfielders that Ipswich could target this summer
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