Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has made Hull City’s Jacob Greaves his ‘first-choice target’ at centre-back, according to a report in the Telegraph.

The 23-year-old came through the Tigers’ academy and has spent his entire career on Humberside apart from a loan spell at Cheltenham Town back in 2019/20.

Currently Hull’s vice-captain, Greaves was named in the EFL Championship Team of the Year following an impressive campaign in the second tier. As a result, he was linked with a move to West Ham earlier this summer, although other teams have seemingly come to the table.

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The report claims that “McKenna has targeted him to strengthen the heart of his defence, with Greaves playing against Ipswich last season but seen as a player with potential to adapt to the top flight.”

Town will apparently face competition from Everton, who may lose Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. Manchester United have been linked with a move for the England international, who surprisingly missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.

The Telegraph add that Hull would like to keep Greaves, who won their Player of the Season award for 2023/24. The Tigers controversially sacked manager Liam Rosenior at the end of last season, appointing former Hamburg boss Tim Walter as his replacement.

MORE: How we'll be covering the transfer window this summer

Alex’s verdict

I like this one a lot.

Greaves would’ve featured on my Championship transfer targets piece, but with West Ham reportedly interested, it seemed like one that might be out of Town's reach. The Hammers have since been heavily linked with a move for Wolves captain Max Kilman, so maybe they've moved on.

For Ipswich, a deal would make sense for a lot of reasons. His age profile is perfect them, and they'll surely be looking to recruit some top players from the Championship in the next few months.

As a left-sided centre-back, he’d compete with Cameron Burgess while playing alongside Luke Woolfenden or Axel Tuanzebe. Any of those partnerships would work well, you’d say.

Greaves bagged two goals and four assists in 43 league games last seasonGreaves bagged two goals and four assists in 43 league games last season (Image: PA)

Although the step-up to the Premier League is significant, Greaves has already shown that he’d be capable of making it this summer. He’s good on the ball, strong into tackles and excellent when it comes to his positioning. There’s a reason why established top-flight clubs are interested in him.

That could be the issue for Ipswich, although they may have more financial muscle than Everton, for example. Who else is looking to sign him this summer, and could it start a bidding war?

Despite missing out on a top-six finish, Hull have no real need to sell. Owner Acun Ilicali has funded the club very well to this point, putting big price tags on his current stars. Back in April, for example, he revealed that Jaden Philogene would not be allowed to leave the MKM Stadium for any less than £25 million. Greaves is clearly held in a similarly high regard.

He does seem like the type of player that McKenna would want and that the club would look to target this summer.