Ipswich Town are likely to add at least one winger to their squad this summer. Stuart Watson picks out 10 players who could be of interest.
JESURUN RAK-SAKYI
Crystal Palace’s electric winger has just had a superb debut season in senior football on loan at Charlton.
The 20-year-old, playing on the right side, contributed 15 goals and nine assists to an Addicks side that finished 10th in League One.
Ipswich are known admirers and likely to renew their interest in a loan this summer.
“He’s probably one of the only ones who has stepped up from U21s football and had a massive impact at League One level - we know he’s a talented player,” enthused Blues boss Kieran McKenna, ahead of Rak-Sakyi coming to Portman Road with Charlton in April.
CHIEDOZIE OGBENE
Rotherham winger has been described as ‘the fastest man in football’ after clocking a 100m time of 10.7 seconds.
Capable of playing on both flanks, the 26-year-old contributed nine goals and four assists to a team that finished 19th in the Championship last season.
It’s been reported that he will reject a new contract at the New York Stadium this summer and seek a new challenge after four years with the Millers.
Ipswich – along with Luton, Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth – have all been linked to the Nigerian-born, 15-cap Republic of Ireland international.
JOSH BOWLER
A left-footer who loves to cut inside from the right, former Everton youngster Bowler lit up the Championship with Blackpool in 2021/22.
That led to a reported £4m switch to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest where he was immediately loaned out to Olympiakos.
Limited game time at the Greek champions saw him recalled in January and sent back to Blackpool.
The 24-year-old, whose contract length at The City Ground is unclear, could be available to buy this summer.
CHRIS WILLOCK
Silky left-sided attacker has provided 13 goals and 13 assists for Championship side QPR over the last two seasons.
The West London club may be tempted to cash in on the 25-year-old after recently taking up the 12-month extension clause in his contract.
The Arsenal academy graduate has been linked with a reunion with his former R’s boss Michael Beale at Rangers.
Ipswich reportedly tried to land Willock on loan midway through their Championship relegation season of 2018/19 when he was playing for Benfica B in Portugal.
OWEN DALE
A product of the famed Crewe youth system, Dale racked up more than 100 appearances for the Railwaymen across League Two and League One.
A move to Championship club Blackpool came in 2021, at a time when he was linked to Ipswich, but a foot injury discovered in the medical meant he was eased into action over his debut campaign at second-tier level.
The direct-running right-winger spent last season on loan at Portsmouth where he provided two goals and five assists. He stuck in my mind after an impressive showing at Portman Road in the Papa John’s Trophy last November.
Blackpool may have to sell players following relegation to League One. Dale, 24, is effectively under contract until 2025.
MORGAN ROGERS
Manchester City youngster, 20, can play on the left or in an advanced position through the middle.
He impressed during a League One loan with Lincoln in 2020/21, before finding game time limited at Bournemouth the following season as the Cherries secured promotion to the Premier League.
After recovering from an early season injury, he was reunited with former Blackpool boss Michael Appleton at Blackpool in January. The Tangerines changed manager twice after that, with Mick McCarthy and Stephen Dobbie taking charge of a team that slipped to relegation.
Ipswich are understood to have enquired about Rogers during Kieran McKenna’s first transfer window of January 2022. He is now in the final year of his contract at the Etihad.
MALCOLM EBIOWEI
London-born attacker spent time in the academies of Chelsea, Arsenal and Rangers before going pro at Derby.
After making 16 appearances for the Rams during the second half of their spirited Championship relegation campaign of 2021/22, Ebiowei was linked to both Manchester United and Tottenham. He eventually joined Crystal Palace, for a compensation fee, on a five-year deal.
England U20 international spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship club Hull, making five starts and seven sub appearances, having been linked to Ipswich at the start of the January transfer window.
Tigers boss Liam Rosenior admitted Ebiowei’s time at the KC Stadium was ‘stop-start’, but has backed the 19-year-old – who can operate on either flank - to play ‘at a very, very high level’.
LEWIS DOBBIN
Everton youngster made three substitute appearances in the Premier League at the back end of 2021 under the management of Rafa Benitez.
After signing a new deal at Goodison Park, the versatile forward spent last season on loan at Derby County in League One where he scored five goals in 27 starts and 27 sub outings.
“All the players make mistakes and I’ve got no issue with that, but it’s all about being brave enough to keep doing things and that’s what Dobbs did,” said Rams boss Paul Warne, when Dobbin put in a Man of the Match display against Cambridge last December.
Quick, skillful and hard-working, there are some raw edges to smooth still. A Championship loan may be his next step.
EPHRON MASON-CLARK
Left-sided forward provided 10 goals and seven assists for Peterborough in League One last season.
The 24-year-old, who was snapped up from Barnet last summer, still has two years left on his London Road deal.
He’s said to be attracting plenty of Championship interest this summer, with Birmingham City the only club named so far.
Ipswich recently ended lengthy negotiations with Peterborough over midfielder Jack Taylor. Would they do business with Posh for another player?
RYAN FRASER
Left-winger enjoyed a superb season on loan at Ipswich in the Championship back in 2015/16.
He went to establish himself as a Premier League regular with Bournemouth before running down his contract to join Newcastle on a five-year deal in 2020.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe, who Fraser worked with on the South Coast, banished the 29-year-old to the Under-21s in March, saying he only wanted players that were ‘committed to the club’ around the first team squad.
It looks certain the 26-cap Scotland international will be sold this summer.
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