Ipswich Town are bidding for promotion in 2025/26 following relegation from the Premier League, but Kieran McKenna knows this will be tough, especially with new exclusive information from transfer expert Graeme Bailey.
Supporters have been looking forward to Championship football at Portman Road following a dismal campaign in the top flight, and work is ongoing to get this squad prepared for the new season.
Liam Delap joined Chelsea for £30m at the start of June, meaning that both George Hirst and Sammie Szmodics will be expected to score the goals that Ipswich need to ensure success.
Nevertheless, there is now a fresh issue for McKenna and the Tractor Boys to deal with and one that they may have foreseen.
Exclusive: Ipswich Town expect Omari Hutchinson bids from the Premier League
According to information from our Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey, EFL Analysis understands that Ipswich Town are bracing themselves for Premier League bids for Omari Hutchinson. The former Chelsea star was a major part of Lee Carsley’s European winning Under-21 side.
Omari Hutchinson of England looks on as he lines up on the pitch for the national anthem prior to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Final match between England and Germany
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Hutchinson is known to be happy in Suffolk but having lost Liam Delap, Town could now lose another of their prized assets. As with Delap, Hutchinson has a release clause, his worth £35m, meaning if the player wants to go then there is little they can do to stop him.
EFL Analysis can confirm that Everton and Nottingham Forest, who are both also keen on West Brom’s Tom Fellows, have joined the hunt for Hutchinson.
West Ham and Fulham were already keeping tabs on the 21-year-old. Ipswich sources insist they are confident of keeping Hutchinson, but they are aware of the increasing interest.
£35m would go a long way in the Championship
After already pocketing £30m for Delap, doubling that with the potential sale of Hutchinson would allow Ipswich the freedom to add depth in multiple areas and bring in a striker who could take the next step if promotion is won.
However, as per Graeme’s information, the Suffolk outfit are keen to keep hold of the versatile attacker, who can play both on the wing and in a forward midfield role.
Hutchinson will be a vital player in the Tractor Boys’ push for a top two finish, and as they prepare for their first Championship fixture of the campaign, McKenna will be hoping that this saga fizzles out quickly.