BREAKING NEWS: Ipswich Town contract call should be last resort given recent developments

Kieran McKenna’s side are just three victories away from an historic return to the top flight as it stands, with their destiny in their own hands as we head into the final stages of the 23/24 campaign.

Promotion to the Premier League would mark their first season back at the top table for over 20 years, and every single member of the squad is pulling together to get themselves over the line and put themselves into Town folklore.

In a season that has had plenty of standout performers, McKenna will be working hard over the summer to keep hold of the key protagonists in the Suffolk side’s rise to the top, with one player in particular likely to be in high-demand.

Axel Tuanzebe Ipswich Town contract information

Axel Tuanzebe made the move to East Anglia last summer, following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United, and signed a one-year deal with the Tractor Boys on his arrival to Portman Road.

The defender does have the option of a one-year extension that the club can make the most of during the off-season, but tying him down to a longer-term deal in Suffolk has to be a priority following a sensational second-half of the season at the back.

While Town have got plenty of credit for their attacking exploits over the course of the season, less plaudits have been aimed towards their incredible backline, and Tuanzebe has been a pivotal part in those performances of late.

Only six teams have conceded more than Ipswich this season; with their 53 goals conceded averaging out at 1.23 per match, which pales into comparison when you are finding the net at a rate of 1.98 goals per game like they are.

Injuries have hampered a lot of Tuanzebe’s career to date, with just over 100 professional appearances by the age of 26, but since his involvement in the Tractor Boys’ first-team plans he has proven himself to be a capable performer at the heart of the backline.

The summer move for the defender could have been seen as a bit of a gamble after just five appearances for Stoke City during the whole of the previous campaign, but former Manchester United youth coach McKenna has shown the faith in him just when he needed it the most.

The 26-year-old has repaid that loyalty with a number of key performances since his inclusion in first-team activities from November onwards; and has proven himself to be a key performer at the back alongside Cameron Burgess and Luke Woolfenden.

In fact, the former Aston Villa loanee has only been on the losing side twice in league matches this season; further underlining his importance to the Suffolk side when he is at full strength.

Comfortable at centre back or on the right side of defence; Tuanzebe’s versatility makes him the perfect sort of player to have to have at your disposal, with his athleticism and dynamism seeing him fit seamlessly in to McKenna’s plans.

The power and strength he has works wonders in nullifying the threat of various Championship attacking threats, while his ability to charge down the flank when playing at right-back causes problems when his side are in possession.

Axel Tuanzebe transfer interest: Cardiff City, Sheffield United

With no news of either a new contract being on the table, or the triggering of the one-year extension, Town will want to get their defender tied down to as long a deal as they can in the coming off-season.

If Tuanzebe can keep fit, he has proven himself to be a top operator at Championship level, and will slot in to an Ipswich Town side in the Premier League as well if the Tractor Boys do make it over the line in the next few weeks.

Cardiff City were said to be interested (17/01, 13:50) in bringing the defender to the club in January, before he finally got a decent run of matches in the team at Portman Road, while Sheffield United were also said to be keen when the defender was available last summer.

WIth a string of strong performances in the second-half of the season, the defender has rightfully earned himself the chance to be given a longer contract at Portman Road, but the big decision remains to be seen whether Town agree with that.

If not, there will be plenty of Championship clubs ready to snap him up this summer if the one-year extension doesn’t get triggered, and whoever gets their hands on him will have a top-performing defender ready for action.