Emmanuel Latte Lath was a target for Town over the summerEmmanuel Latte Lath was a target for Town over the summer (Image: PA)
Emmanuel Latte Lath
Going into January, there’s no reason why Emmanuel Latte Lath won’t at least be on Ipswich’s shortlist for a new striker. After all, according to his agent, they pushed hard to sign him on deadline day back in August. Ultimately, Middlesbrough turned that bid down as they didn’t have time to find a replacement.
Now, it turns out that wasn’t necessary. Boro had his replacement in their ranks all along in the form of Tommy Conway. The 22-year-old, who joined from Bristol City last season, has bagged eight goals in 17 games – the same return as Latte Lath.
The two strikers have both performed incredibly well this season, but there’s only space in Michael Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 system for one of them, meaning that he’s rotated the them depending on the opposition. As a result, if Town come knocking again next month, they may feel more inclined to let him leave.
His agent has already hinted that a January move could be on the cards, saying that he 'expects something to happen'.
A pacy, clinical attacker, Latte Lath is an exciting player who’s on course to have another strong campaign, having bagged 18 goals in his first season in English football in 2023/24. He feels ready for the step-up and Middlesbrough would surely accept a similar bid to the one that was made over the summer. Perhaps a permanent deal for George Edmundson could help seal the move.
Evan Ferguson has struggled with injuries in the last few monthsEvan Ferguson has struggled with injuries in the last few months (Image: PA)
Evan Ferguson
Brighton's Evan Ferguson will probably be one of the big names in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old was once hailed as one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League, but injuries have halted his momentum.
He returned to full fitness earlier this season but has struggled for minutes, with Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro ahead of him in the pecking order. As a result, a number of Premier League rivals have been linked with loan and permanent moves for him.
Buying Ferguson outright would probably be a push for Ipswich, but a loan move until the end of the season could help him get back up to full speed and give the Blues a striker with a strong track record in front of goal to help them stay up.
The only catch? Brighton have said that, as things stand, he’s not going anywhere and will have to be patient as he waits for more game time. However, as interest in him hots up, there’s no guarantee that will still be the case in a couple of weeks’ time.
As a Republic of Ireland international, there are plenty of Town players who could convince him to make the switch to Suffolk.
Taiwo Awoniyi has started just twice for Nottingham Forest this seasonTaiwo Awoniyi has started just twice for Nottingham Forest this season (Image: PA)
Taiwo Awoniyi
Staying in the Premier League, Taiwo Awoniyi has found things hard at Nottingham Forest this season.
Initially signed to be their first-choice striker after securing promotion from the Championship in 2022, Awoniyi bagged 10 goals in the Premier League as the Reds avoided relegation. The following season, his game time was slashed, but he still found the back of the net six times.
So far in 2024/25, he’s only made just two starts and is yet to score. The red-hot form of Chris Wood is keeping him out of the team.
Awoniyi can’t be happy with this and may be open to a January move. He’s currently Forest’s back-up striker, but a switch could free up some funds for them to strengthen their squad as they continue to push for a Champions League place.
The 27-year-old is powerful and confident in front of goal with good experience in this division. He just needs more game time to prove it.
William Osula cost Newcastle United £10 million plus add-onsWilliam Osula cost Newcastle United £10 million plus add-ons (Image: PA)
William Osula
Signed from Copenhagen back in 2018, William Osula progressed through Sheffield United's academy and reached the first team after a brief loan spell at Derby County.
He was given his first minutes for the Blades in the Championship, but his experience predominantly comes in the Premier League, making 21 appearances for them last season.
Despite failing to score in that time, fans were impressed by his physical attributes. It's worth remembering that he only made nine starts in 2023/24, playing less than 800 minutes.
Following relegation from the top flight, Sheffield United sold him to Newcastle United for £10 million plus add-ons. He's yet to start and has only made five cameo appearances totalling 27 minutes.
He finds himself behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in the pecking order, but with the latter injured, he could finally get some regular game time. That being said, the Magpies may look to sign a new no.9 in January, which could push Osula out of the door.
A loan move isn't out of the equation, and while he isn't the most glamorous name with a prolific goalscoring record, neither was Liam Delap. However, like Delap, Osula's size, pace and movement fits what Ipswich need.
Speaking to The Athletic, insiders at Newcastle have described the 21-year-old as 'a unit', even though there are areas of his game that are clearly still raw. It's important to remember that the Blues aren't necessarily looking for a starting striker to play over Delap and George Hirst every week.
Fotis Ioannidis has struggled in front of goal this seasonFotis Ioannidis has struggled in front of goal this season (Image: PA)
Fotis Ioannidis
Yes, here we are again.
Remember Fotis Ioannidis? Reports suggested that Town launched various bids for the Greek striker over the summer, facing fierce competition from teams across Europe. In the end, Panathinaikos shut up shop and refused to sell him. That might not happen again next month.
The 24-year-old has had a pretty torrid campaign, scoring just one league goal in 12 appearances. He’s gone from being one of the hottest properties in Europe to someone who’s been forgotten.
That being said, Ipswich wouldn’t have looked at his goalscoring record - which hit 23 last season - and decided that was enough of a reason to try and sign him. They must have liked his physicality and technical ability, realising that it would be a good fit in the Premier League. That won't have changed.
McKenna would back himself to get Ioannidis firing again and Panathinaikos may be more open to selling now. Stats show that he still ranks highly for a lot of key attributes that the Northern Irishman would look for in a no.9.
Tolu Arokadare
I couldn’t do one of these without a left-field option that nobody has heard of! If Brentford and Brighton can do it, why can’t Ipswich?
Tolu Arokadare is a Nigerian striker who started his career at Latvian club Valmiera after playing for various academies in and around Lagos.
He impressed, earning loan moves to Bundesliga outfit FC Koln and Ligue 2 side Amiens. The former ended badly while the latter – which ran for two years and included an option to buy – was much better. In the end, he didn’t stay in France, signing for Genk instead.
Arokadare quickly adapted to life in Belgium. In his first full campaign, he scored 15 goals. This season, he’s managed 10 in just 20 appearances, ranking him second in the division behind Anderlecht’s Kasper Dolberg. He also has three assists to his name.
Dolberg was also somebody that I considered for this list, boasting considerable experience at a number of top-level clubs. Arokadare, however, is 24, three years younger than the league’s leading goalscorer. He’s also 6’6, remarkably strong and quick with the ball at his feet.
It’d be a huge risk for Ipswich and adapting to Premier League football may be tough, but he’s done well in his career so far, so why not? He has all the makings of a McKenna striker, and if he can continue his current trajectory, he has a pretty high ceiling.