Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says he expects 'movement both ways' in the final week of the transfer window.

The Blues boss has signed nine players for a combined £65.5m since promotion to the Premier League was confirmed - and that's not even taking into account loan fees, potential add-ons and future buy clauses.

The spending wont stop there. It's understood that Town are closing in on a season-long loan deal for Chelsea striker Armando Broja and have lodged a bid of £15m for Sunderland winger Jack Clarke.

On Broja, who has undergone a medical in Suffolk, McKenna said: “There’s nothing confirmed yet. I still think that’s a little way away, so until that point there’s no reason to comment on it."

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's Premier League match at Manchester City, he added: “There are still some areas that we feel we want to add to. The forward areas is one of those.

"We know that with the level of the league, and how we operate, we need great depth in those areas. We’re a team who probably made more forward substitutions than anyone last year.

"We want to be really strong in those areas and have good depth, we want to add different qualities that we think can help us be successful in the Premier League, so we’re continuing to look at that.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has signed nine players this summer - and he wants more.Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has signed nine players this summer - and he wants more. (Image: PA)

"On top of that we’ve had injuries to George Hirst, to Nathan Broadhead and now to Wes Burns – and none of those injuries are minor injuries. That of course increases the need. 

“But overall the squad is progressing well. We’re much better in numbers and depth and strength than we were a few weeks ago. I think the squad’s come together well and hopefully we can make a couple more really good additions over the next few days.

"Soon we’ll have an international break and can start building the relationships and connections in the team and setting ourselves up to have a strong season."

If Town sign Broja and Clarke, they would have to deregister two senior players to fall within the Premier League's 25-man squad limit. Freddie Ladapo looks a likely departure, while Cieran Slicker and Ali Al-Hamadi could potentially go out on loan.

Asked if he anticipated player exits before next Friday's 11pm deadline, McKenna replied: “I’d imagine so. We've not spent too much time having those discussions yet as a club. We know there’ll be movement both ways, I would imagine, in the days coming up to the transfer window. That’s something we’ll discuss once we get through the weekend."

 

TOWN'S SUMMER BUSINESS SO FAR

Aro Muric (Burnley, £8m)

Ben Johnson (West Ham, Bosman free)

Jacob Greaves (Hull City, £15m)

Conor Townsend (West Brom, £500k)

Kalvin Phillips (Man City, loan)

Jens Cajuste (Napoli, loan)

Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea, £18m)

Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn, £9m)

Liam Delap (Man City, £15m)