Not including recent loan star Omari Hutchinson, Ipswich Town have already been linked to 19 players this summer. Stuart Watson gives his take on each and outlines our approach to covering this transfer window.
HOW WE'LL COVER THE WINDOW
It's that time of year again. Silly season. When dozens of players get linked to multiple clubs on a daily basis. There's going to be more of that than ever before regarding Ipswich Town now they are back in the big time.
During the recent will-he-won't-he-stay saga surrounding Blues boss Kieran McKenna, we took a conscious decision not to regurgitate every bit of (often contradictory) news that seemed to come out by the hour. We understood that you, our valued readers, were anxious and turning to us to separate fact from fiction. We took that responsibility seriously and, as was outlined in greater depth at the time, were ultra-cautious in how we approached such a big story.
How we approach the transfer window will be slightly different.
When links pop up from what we consider a reputable source (and that's harder than ever to define), we will acknowledge it with a story online. That story will be clearly badged up as an 'Ipswich Town rumour', with the source clearly credited. This is not us saying we understand there to be any truth to the story, just documenting that it exists.
Why? Because we know you like reading it. Our web stats show that. I get it too. This is a period where supporters can drool over Player X's highlights reel and get excited about the unknown. I might be serious about my job, but I do also acknowledge that the soap opera of the transfer window is just a bit of fun/distraction for many.
But be assured, however, that our journalistic principles will stay the same. Bringing you transfer exclusives - as we did with Ali Al-Hamadi back in January - is still the goal. As and when we can add some 'we understand' guidance to stories already out there, using our sources, we will. If we can't, we'll try and add value to the rumours with some considered comment.
Let's kick things off with a verdict on 19 players who have already been linked over recent weeks...
TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS (Man City)
April 14: The Sun reported that Town were ready to pounce for the cultured centre-back if they went up to the Premier League and Southampton didn’t.
VERDICT: Former England U21 star would undoubtedly have been a player on Town’s list (fun fact, his twin sister used to play basketball for Ipswich). Southampton’s promotion via the play-offs triggered a £20m obligation to buy clause in his loan though.
EMILE SMITH ROWE (Arsenal)
April 24: There was a bit of excitement on social media when the tricky winger, a three-cap England international who lit up the Premier League in 2021/22, was linked. From what I can see, the rumour originated from little known website ‘Breezy Sports’ that stated ‘as per the reports from CaughtOffside (which I can't find), Emile Smith Rowe to Town transfer is looking very likely’, adding Arsenal ‘will demand £50m’.
VERDICT: A nonsense story that gained more traction than it should have done. Smith Rowe may well leave the Gunners this summer after making just three league starts last season, but not for that sort of money. The Telegraph reports that Fulham ‘are ready to bid’. I might be wrong, but this looks out of Town’s budget.
JOHN LUNDSTRAM (Rangers)
May 4: Midfielder played 62 times in the Premier League for Sheffield United and has spent the last three seasons at Rangers.
The Sun reports that Ipswich are ready to hijack Turkish side Trabzonspor’s move for the 30-year-old midfielder.
VERDICT: Lundstram has now officially been released as Rangers look to slash their wage bill. Could be seen as an experienced player/leader to replace the voids left by Lewis Travis and Dominic Ball.
BEN SHEAF (Coventry)
May 5: Another one from The Sun. They report that Luton, Ipswich and Fulham are ‘interested’ in the Sky Blues playmaker and that ‘the fee will be in the £10m range’ for a player contracted until 2026.
VERDICT: Mark Robins has insisted it would take ‘record bids’ to sell any of his key players this summer. Sheaf’s a big talent. Would Ipswich pay out an eight-figure fee for the 26-year-old though? I'm not so sure.
EDDIE NKETIAH (Arsenal)
May 7: One-cap England striker has scored 38 goals for Arsenal, but never quite been able to hold down a regular starting spot.
It’s been widely reported that the 24-year-old could leave the Emirates this summer, with TEAMtalk reporting that he is ‘one of Ipswich’s ambitious targets’.
VERDICT: Like Smith Rowe, one that will surely be out of Ipswich’s reach at this juncture. Nketiah still has three years left on his contract and a fee of £30-35m has been mooted. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Everton have all been credited with interest.
JAKE CLARKE-SALTER (QPR)
May 7: Former Chelsea and England U21 centre-back impressed at Championship strugglers QPR towards the back end of last season.
The Scotsman says that Celtic, Ipswich, Burnley, Stoke and Crystal Palace all want the 26-year-old. The Telegraph’s Midlands football reporter, John Percy, says the 26-year-old is a ‘top summer target’ for Stoke and that the price is ‘likely to be £5-7m’.
VERDICT: McKenna does like players who were schooled in a Premier League academy. Clarke-Salter has not been shy in outlining his Premier League ambitions and that it’s a case of ‘we’ll see’ this summer. Could be a viable target.
CHRIS CONN-CLARKE (Altrincham)
May 8: Northern Irishman scored 23 goals from the No.10 position as Altrincham finished fourth in the National League.
Website ‘Football Transfers’ claims that Ipswich, Mansfield, Peterborough and Portsmouth are all ‘monitoring the development’ of the 22-year-old.
The Daily Mail has since reported that Peterborough have had a bid rejected, with The Sun then stating that Wigan have ‘joined the race’.
VERDICT: Looks more likely to sign for an EFL club.
DAN BALLARD and PIERRE EKWAH (Sunderland)
May 8: Northern Irish centre-back Ballard (24) and French midfielder Ekwah (22) both arrived at Sunderland last summer from Arsenal and West Ham respectively.
TBR Football reports that Ipswich are ‘ready to make early moves to try and land the pair’ and that ‘a combined deal worth north of £15m seems realistic’.
VERDICT: Both players certainly tick the McKenna boxes of ‘young, hungry, technical and athletic’. In general terms, flexing financial muscle to prise promising players away from Championship clubs is a route I can see being taken. Whether these two are genuine targets though remains to be seen.
ARMANDO BROJA (Chelsea)
May 8: Albanian striker has scored two goals in 26 Premier League appearances (eight starts) for Chelsea since emerging from their youth system.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham where, despite wearing the No.9 shirt, wasn’t able to find the net in eight sub appearances.
Contracted until 2028, the Express has reported that Chelsea will ‘slash their £50m price tag’ in an attempt to raise funds.
An article on ‘Football Fan Cast’ suggests Ipswich ‘could be tempted’ to swoop.
VERDICT: Pure speculation. Another that is surely out of Town’s reach. Wolves, Monaco and Bologna are said to be ready to make a move for a player who will look to shine at the Euros.
AIDEN MCGINLAY (Queen’s Park)
May 8: Scottish winger, still only 17, has been impressing at youth team level north of the border.
According to the Daily Record, Ipswich (where he previously had a two-week trial), Norwich and Celtic are ‘on alert’. TEAMtalk subsequently reported that Stoke and West Brom are ‘at the head of the queue’.
VERDICT: Wouldn’t read too much into this one.
ZIAN FLEMMING (Millwall)
May 13: Attacking midfielder is a product of the famed Ajax youth system. He’s been a star player for Millwall over the last two seasons.
The South London Press reports that ‘the agency representing Flemming are intent on moving him on this summer’ and that ‘Ipswich are one of the clubs interested’.
The Sun reports that Millwall would want £5m for a player they valued at £15m a year ago when turning down multiple bids from Burnley.
VERDICT: A cheaper option to Omari Hutchinson? Maybe. Town fans do love a Dutchman. This sounds like an agent trying to drum up interest though.
MIGUEL ALMIRON (Newcastle)
May 24: Paraguayan winger arrived at Newcastle for a club-record £21m fee in 2019 and, responding to a Jack Grealish jibe, had a hot streak in 2022.
TEAMtalk reports that ‘Ipswich Town are eager to sign the talismanic attacker for a fee around £21million’, adding that he’s ‘also on the radar of Atletico Madrid, clubs in Italy and teams in the Saudi Pro League’.
VERDICT: This one made me smile. If Ipswich are going to spend £20m+ on a player I’m confident it won’t be on a 30-year-old.
EDO KAYEMBE (Watford)
May 25: Former Anderlecht midfielder has spent the last two seasons at Championship club Watford. You may remember him for nearly catching Vaclav Hladky off his line in April.
A report from Info Sport, in his homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo, states: “According to information from our colleagues at Africafoot, the 26-year-old is being courted by Ipswich where Axel Tuanzebe plays.”
VERDICT: Not a Championship player whose name rolls off the tongue, but Hornets fans will tell you his energy is invaluable. Would he improve/add to what Ipswich have already? I’m not sure. Reports that come out of a player’s home nation always pique my interest though. That’s how Ipswich’s interest in Jeremy Sarmiento was first known.
JAPHET TANGANGA (Tottenham)
May 26: Strong, aggressive defender started 25 Premier League games for Tottenham before fading from the picture.
The former England U21 international spent last season on loan at Millwall and looked set to make that a permanent switch as a free agent, but respected Spurs podcast ‘Lilywhite Rose’ has suggested Ipswich could try and hijack the move.
Lions boss Neil Harris concedes Tanganga ‘is a player who will be in demand’.
VERDICT: Good age (25), humble character, top-flight experience, versatile (can play centre-back and right-back) and is a free agent. It does make a lot of sense.
DANIEL JEBBISON (Sheffield United)
May 31: Three years ago, the Canadian striker became the youngest player in Premier League history to score on his first start.
The 20-year-old has had a torrid 18 months with injuries and illness – including a blood clot that needed treatment – and is now out of contract.
United are keen to tie him down to a new deal. HITC reports that ‘Leeds have made him a top target’ and that ‘Everton, Brighton, Ipswich and Leicester are amongst those clubs who have made moves to try and land him, whilst Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Monaco have also expressed an interest’.
VERDICT: Ipswich have trusted their medical team to get injury-prone players right in recent years. This could be seen as a good opportunity to pick up and develop a bright young talent. His decision will be based on where he’s most likely to get game-time though and Town won’t be able to promise that.
RYAN SESSEGNON (Tottenham)
June 2: Versatile left-sider, who has 73 Premier League appearances to his name, is a free agent after being released by Tottenham. He is now looking to rebuild a promising career after a series of hamstring injuries.
‘GiveMeSport’ reports that Ipswich Town are ‘leading the race’ for the 24-year-old, but that Wolves and Crystal Palace are also interested. The Athletic and BBC say Fulham want to bring him back.
VERDICT: Another one that makes a lot of sense. Could be a good fit for each other.
CARL RUSHWORTH (Brighton)
June 3: Brighton goalkeeper has had progressive loan spells at Worthing (non-league), Walsall (L2), Lincoln (L1) and, most recently, Swansea (Championship).
A member of England’s Euro U21 Championship winning squad last summer, the 22-year-old shone for the Swans thanks to a mixture of calmness on the ball and fine shot-stopping.
Journalist Darren Witcoop wrote on X: “Ipswich monitoring Brighton managerial situation as they target keeper Carl Rushworth. Waiting on green light over whether Rushworth will leave or stay this season.”
VERDICT: If either Vaclav Hladky or Christian Walton move on this summer – and that’s a big ‘if’ - then this is the profile of keeper the Blues would undoubtedly go for. Would need a decent fee as contracted until 2027.
SAM GALLAGHER (Blackburn)
Jun 5: Ipswich’s attempts to sign the Blackburn striker in January were well publicised. The Blues’ bids, which reached £1.5m, were all rebuffed and Kieffer Moore ended up being signed on loan instead.
Rovers recently took up an option to extend the 28-year-old's contract by another year, but that could be just to protect their asset. The Express reports: “Ipswich are among those to have expressed an interest in the versatile forward in recent weeks. McKenna still feels Gallagher, who can play out wide or up top, would be a good fit at Portman Road.”
VERDICT: A player with similar qualities to George Hirst in that he’s big and mobile. Having started out in the Premier League with Southampton, would come with a point to prove after years in the Championship. Wouldn’t break the bank either. As we’ve seen with the likes of Jack Taylor and Sarmiento, when McKenna thinks someone is a good fit he tends to keep pursuing over multiple windows.
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