Following their promotion from the Championship, Ipswich Town are looking to splash out with two players currently contracted at Chelsea catching the eye.
In a bid to avoid a swift return to the Championship next season, the Tractor Boys are looking to make attacker Omari Hutchinson a permanent fixture at Portman Road after helping Kieran McKenna’s side achieve promotion this season, according to The Guardian. Hutchinson scored 10 goals and set up six in the league this season.
Currently valued at £7 million by TransferMarkt, reports suggest the Jamaican international could be sold for up to £20 million with the club ramping up their interest in securing his signature. However, the Tractor Boys will have to fend off European buyers with Stuttgart one of many said to appreciate the 20-year-old.
Despite Chelsea extending Hutchinson’s contract until 2026, it is not expected to be an obstacle and the former Arsenal and Chelsea academy player could be set to depart Stamford Bridge. The only saving grace might be the arrival of Enzo Maresca as soon-to-be-announced Chelsea manager who can still decide the Jamaican’s future.
Further looking to bolster their firepower, Ipswich continue to be linked with £30 million-rated Albanian target man Armanda Broja also on the fringes at Chelsea, as has been reported by The Express. Ipswich Town, who have been interested in Broja since the start of the month, have been given a boost by the slashing of the striker’s asking price from £50 million to £30 million.
Despite never quite finding consistent form in the Premier League, the Albanian brings plenty of physical attributes to the table and it is clear McKenna sees potential in the 22-year-old. Similarly to fellow Blue, Hutchinson, Broja is under contract for another four years but is expected to leave this summer.
If Ipswich do want to make Broja their club record signing they will have to compete with a handful of interested clubs from the Championship to the Premier League to Europe. Southampton, Watford, AC Milan and Monaco are all reported to be looking at the striker. Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Monaco are currently leading the race.
Writer’s View
Kieran McKenna committing his future to Ipswich Town with a new four-year deal has allowed the Tractor Boys to begin setting the foundations for a Premier League survival attempt. Regardless of the modest prize money Championship clubs earn for automatic promotion to the top-flight, it is the eventual eye-watering income that the Premier offers that will pay for such expensive transfers.
Even parachute payments after relegation would cover a £50 million expenditure so, financially, the moves seem viable. Despite this, many Ipswich fans might be worried about the change of direction from last year, with McKenna building a team with shrewd cheap buys and loan deals coupled with great team spirit and mentality that led his side to the promotion promised land.
The permanent signing of Hutchinson is the most sensible and likely transfer, with the attacker already showing he can perform in an Ipswich shirt and coaches will be hoping he picks up from where he left off last season. On the other hand, Broja will cost more and is a big gamble, already struggling in the top division of English football, while he seems more tempted by a move overseas.
Common sense would see £20 million spent on Hutchinson and the rest of the transfer budget spent on doing what Ipswich have excelled at, and that is spending smart.
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