Ipswich Town are looking to bolster their forward line this season and are reportedly eyeing a move for one of League One’s most prolific attackers but face stiff competition from Championship rivals.
The Tractors Boys have suffered their first real blip in form of the 2023/24 campaign over the past few weeks. Kieran McKenna’s side are winless in five matches in England’s second tier, while third-place Southampton have managed to close the gap to Ipswich to just three points.
Furthermore, the newly-promoted side have been struggling defensively. Ipswich Town currently boast the worst defensive record in the top six, having conceded 33 goals in 26 games, a record that will need to improve if the side are to earn promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades.
Nevertheless, the club are supposedly looking to add even more firepower to the forward line before the winter window slams shut at the beginning of February. According to HITC, the Blues are considering a move for Luton Town forward John McAtee, who has spent the season on loan with Barnsley in League One.
The outlet is claiming that Ipswich face competition from Championship promotion rivals Cardiff City and Sunderland as well as Plymouth Argyle this winter. A transfer to the Championship would end his spell with Barnsley.
McAtee has been on loan with the Tykes since the beginning of the season and has been in fine form under manager Neill Collins. Having made 22 appearances at Oakwell, the 24-year-old has scored nine goals and recorded three assists in all competitions. Additionally, McAtee is Barnsley’s second-highest goalscorer this season behind Devante Cole.
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Writer’s View
This would be a massive blow to Barnsley’s bid for promotion. McAtee has been so important for the team this season, particularly during spells where Cole hasn’t been scoring. However, the player almost looks too good for League One at times.
McAtee certainly still has a future with Luton but the club will likely be keen for him to challenge himself with a better side further up the pyramid as a true test of his level, having never kicked a ball in the Championship before.
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