Ipswich Town: Six Premier League youngsters who could join on loan

With Omari Hutchinson and Jeremy Sarmiento's futures yet to be confirmed, the Blues will be able to bring in two Premier League players on loan next season as it stands. Alex Jones picks out six potential candidates.

Callum Doyle spent last season on loan at Leicester City (Image: PA)

Callum Doyle - Manchester City

This might go down as a bit of a controversial pick, as Callum Doyle had a really strong season at Leicester City before it was curtailed through injury. 

He’s now had two impressive campaigns in the Championship and should be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League. The reality is that it won’t happen at Manchester City.

A permanent move for Doyle wouldn’t come cheap, but a loan move might be feasible and his versatility could be crucial for Ipswich. He’s a natural left-sided centre-back who’s comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Under Enzo Maresca at Leicester, he played at left-back in a system that incorporated inverted full-backs, which saw him play on the left side of a back three. It means he’s no Leif Davis, but he could definitely offer cover in that position where 20-year-old Cam Humphreys is the only real alternative.

It remains to be seen whether the Foxes will go back in for him, particularly now that Maresca is gone. He needs to play regular, top-level football, and maybe the Blues could offer that.

Hannibal Mejbri made five Premier League appearances at the start of last season (Image: PA)

Hannibal Mejbri - Manchester United

Starting with our first of two Manchester United players on this list, Hannibal Mejbri has always been quite a big name at Old Trafford. For one reason or another, it hasn't quite worked out.

Born just over five kilometres outside of Paris, the Red Devils signed him from AS Monaco in 2019. It didn't take long for him to make his Premier League debut, but his first run of consistent football at senior level came during a loan spell at Birmingham City in 2022/23, where he scored once in 38 games. They showed how to get the best out of him and their supporters really loved him.

If there was one criticism he faced during that stint, it was his attitude and aggression - two things which weren't tolerated during his subsequent loan to La Liga outfit Sevilla. He played just six games in all competitions, leaving all parties unhappy about the decision. If he doesn't turn things around quickly, it's hard to see him staying at Man United much longer.

With that in mind, a move to Ipswich would give him the chance to bounce back and prove that he can play consistently in the Premier League. If anyone can fix his lingering attitude issues, it'd be Kieran McKenna, and his links to Manchester United could help secure a deal.

A versatile midfielder who can play as a no.10 or in a deeper role, the 21-year-old would add some much-needed depth with a little bit of top-flight experience. He has that bit of bite that you want in a midfielder and he'd be able to learn from Sam Morsy. It could be a really good fit.

Fabio Carvalho had two loan spells away from Liverpool last season (Image: PA)

Fabio Carvalho - Liverpool

Probably the most well-known name on this list, Fabio Carvalho needs to figure out what’s best for him. 

The 21-year-old has been on the fringes of the Liverpool team since arriving at Anfield from Fulham in 2022. His loan spell at RB Leipzig wasn’t much easier, but he got to show some of his best at Hull City last season.

Arne Slot will surely want to take a closer look at him in pre-season, but it’s still hard to see where his minutes will come from up on Merseyside. He needs to prove that he can hack a full season of Premier League football, which Ipswich could offer him.

Figuring out where he’d fit in would be a challenge. His natural position is as a no.10, which is where Conor Chaplin plays, but he can play anywhere behind the central striker. He likes to roam wherever the space is, which saw him bag nine goals and two assists in just 20 league games last season.

This one would surely hinge on Omari Hutchinson’s future. There’s no way that the Chelsea youngster would fit into the team with Carvalho and Chaplin as they’re all far too similar.

Facundo Pellistri has struggled for game time at Manchester United (Image: PA)

Facundo Pellistri - Manchester Utd

If Ipswich had been promoted to the Premier League 12 months ago, a loan move for Amad Diallo would’ve made perfect sense. He’s now worked his way into Man United’s starting lineup, but Facundo Pellistri has not.

The winger has made just 13 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils in between La Liga loan spells at Deportivo Alaves and Granada. Perhaps it’s time for him to develop in the English top flight, and McKenna’s aforementioned relationship with Man United could help too.

The Uruguay international would provide good competition for Wes Burns on the right, although he doesn’t offer the same searing pace. He still has more than enough about him to beat his man, boasting quick feet to break down the flank and accurate deliveries into the box.

At 22, he needs a consistent run of top-flight football to see what his level truly is. Perhaps this is one which could lead to a permanent move in 12 months’ time, with his pathway at Old Trafford looking more and more difficult.

David Datro Fofana couldn't help Burnley avoid relegation last season (Image: PA)

David Datro Fofana - Chelsea

The first of two strikers on this list, David Datro Fofana has had an interesting time since arriving at Chelsea in January 2023, making just three Premier League appearances. He was subsequently loaned out to Union Berlin, where his game time was limited, before switching to Burnley in the second half of the season.

In just 10 starts and five cameos for a side that was relegated from the top flight, the 21-year-old ended up with four goals and an assist. No, it’s not a huge return, but given that he played 879 minutes, it’s not bad either. His screamer against West Ham certainly stands out.

He’s fast, powerful and a good finisher. His age is the perfect profile for Town, although his lack of experience as a lone striker would be a concern. Holding up the ball certainly isn’t a quality he possesses - he thrives on balls into the box and can carry it forward, but he’s not at all like George Hirst.

There’s little to no chance of him working his way into Maresca’s Chelsea side next season, so another loan seems likely. Like Pellistri, there’s clearly a chance that Ipswich could negotiate an option to buy him, particularly if it depends on them avoiding relegation. 

Alejo Veliz is expected to leave Tottenham Hotspur on loan next season (Image: PA)

Alejo Veliz - Spurs

Ending with a left-field name that could be a great fit for Ipswich - Alejo Veliz.

The striker was regarded as one of the best young talents in his native Argentina, scoring 19 goals in 59 games for Rosario Central. That earned him a £13 million move to Spurs, playing a bit-part role in the first half of the season before joining Sevilla back in February.

There’s no denying that his stint in Spain was disappointing. He hardly got any chance to impress, playing just 44 minutes across eight cameo appearances in La Liga. Football.London have reported that work is already underway to find him a better loan, with journalist Uriel Iugt claiming that a Premier League move is certainly on the cards.

Standing at 6’2”, Veliz is a strong presence who can lead the line by himself while also being agile, athletic and clinical in the box. He finds it easy to win aerial duels, boasting an impressive highlight reel of headed goals, while also linking play. Unlike Fofana, he’s quite similar to Hirst.

The only catch is that Spurs might be reluctant to send the 20-year-old to Portman Road given the lack of minutes they have Dane Scarlett last season. That being said, this would be a totally different move, and Ange Postecoglou would surely know that.