For most Ipswich Town fans, the Championship is in the rear-view mirror, but the club might have an eye on one or two stars that they could target this summer.
Alex Jones picks out seven players the Blues could look to sign from the second tier...
Michael Cooper - Plymouth Argyle
Back in 2022/23, Michael Cooper helped Plymouth Argyle secure promotion from League One to the Championship. In an ultra-attacking team, he was the glue that held them together defensively, and arguably the main reason they were able to secure the title.
Injury issues have seen his game time limited in the last year, and there have been some moments where he’s struggled to get back into the rhythm of regular game time, but more often than not he’s a fantastic shot-stopper who can play with the ball at his feet.
Top clubs have been linked for quite a while now. At just 24, there’s plenty of time for him to make that step up, but the first stage for him will be to reach the Premier League.
He could be a longer-term answer in the goalkeeping department for Ipswich, although the Pilgrims would likely ask for a pretty heavy transfer fee.
Eiran Cashin - Derby County
Eiran Cashin didn’t play in the Championship last season, so is this cheating? Perhaps.
However, he’s now back in the second tier, having last played at the level back in 2021/22. It was his first real taste of senior football, and he was involved in Derby County’s tumultuous relegation campaign that was defined by off-field issues.
Two seasons as a key player in League One has helped him significantly. He played a crucial part as the Rams sealed automatic promotion last season, starting 44 of 46 games for the strongest defensive side in the division.
At 22 years old, he’s got a lot of potential, and his value is only boosted by being a left-footed centre-back. Jumping up to the Premier League would be a big challenge, but there’s a reason why Brighton & Hove Albion have been linked with him.
Ben Sheaf - Coventry City
There’s been a lot of talk about former Blue Flynn Downes, who misses out on a place in this list due to the fact that he’s been on loan at Southampton from a Premier League club. Even then, there’s an argument to be made that Ben Sheaf might be a better fit.
The 26-year-old cut his teeth at Arsenal’s academy, albeit that he left after loan spells at Stevenage, Doncaster Rovers and Coventry, joining the Sky Blues permanently in 2021.
He’s been really good since then, making more than 100 appearances. He orchestrates everything in midfield, shielding the back line and making surging runs into the final third. His performance away at Sheffield Wednesday shows what he’s capable of.
Sheaf would fit in really well alongside skipper Sam Morsy, with some outlets already linking Ipswich with a move.
Gustavo Hamer – Sheffield United
A bit like Cashin, I’m cheating a bit here because Gustavo Hamer played in the Premier League last season, but it was hard to leave him off given that he’s now technically a Championship player once again.
The midfielder joined Sheffield United after playing an instrumental part in Coventry City’s run to 2022/23 play-off final, bagging the equaliser at Wembley before they were beaten by Luton Town on penalties. He ended that campaign with nine goals and 10 assists in the second tier.
Life in the top flight was pretty tough for the Blades, but not for Hamer, who ended up with four goals and six assists in a side that finished rock bottom with a goal difference of -69.
He’d be an excellent addition into Town’s midfield, although there will undoubtedly be a lot of interest in him this summer. Sheffield United’s financial situation remains unclear and they might need to move on some key assets.
Zian Flemming - Millwall
Ipswich have been linked with Zian Flemming already, but the reality is that he’ll have a lot of interest from around the world – from the United States to Spain to the Premier League. It’s clear that, after two years at Millwall, he’ll be set to move on this summer.
His first season at The Den was pretty astonishing. He recovered from a minor injury early on and ended up hitting the ground running. He’d clearly bulked up in the gym and was able to bully defenders. His fierce long-range efforts became a trademark part of his game, and he ended up finishing with 15 goals and three assists.
Significant offers from the Premier League were turned down last summer, but the Lions surely regret that. They’ve struggled throughout the last campaign and Flemming’s form has dipped as a result, even though he finished as their top scorer with seven goals and five assists. With a year left on his deal, they’re unlikely to stand in his way again.
His versatility would help Town, as he’s able to play as a no.10 and up front. If Burnley were keen to take a punt on him for a reported £15 million last summer, the Blues might be keen to take him now his price tag is significantly lower.
Jack Clarke – Sunderland
The bravest pick on the list, Jack Clarke has been linked with moves to West Ham and AFC Bournemouth in the last few weeks. There’s certainly an argument that he could tempt an established Premier League side into signing him, but Ipswich might fancy their chances.
A Leeds United academy graduate, Clarke’s move to Tottenham Hotspur was pretty disastrous. He had loan spells at numerous different EFL clubs but couldn’t show his quality until he arrived at Sunderland.
Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray got the best out of him, and he’s been really impressive ever since. He bagged nine goals and 11 assists last season as the Black Cats reached the play-offs, and even in a struggling side this season, he’s ended up with 15 goals and four assists.
Why would Town be able to get him? Well, there’s no denying that his form has taken a dip in the last few weeks, and some clubs might not be willing to pick up the £15-20 million asking price. It’d be a huge investment, but it certainly wouldn’t be impossible.
Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough)
Emmanuel Latte Lath played for various clubs in Europe before joining Middlesbrough from St. Gallen last summer. He took quite a while to adapt to life in the Championship, but ended up finishing the campaign as one of the most prolific attackers in the league.
His final total was 16 goals and one assist, which is pretty impressive given his dry run at the start of the season. He’s fast, physical and athletic, and he can also lead the line by himself.
Town fans were impressed by his performance at Portman Road in April, and his agent has already hinted that he wants to make the step up to the Premier League sooner rather than later.
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