Ipswich Town have shown interest in Brighton & Hove Albion ace Malick Yalcouye but have not made an approach yet, as per Charlie Parker-Turner.
Ipswich Town are preparing for the return to the Championship and while eyes are on those who could leave the club, ITFC are also keen on strengthening the ranks further.
Speculation has been rife so far, and three players have moved to Portman Road. Azor Matusiwa is the statement signing of the three, arriving from Stade Rennais while David Button (free transfer) and Cedric Kipre (loan) have also come onboard.
ITFC - Ipswich Town new boy Azor Matusiwa
Image courtesy of: CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/REUTERS.
Plenty of other targets are on the radar, and a current priority for the Tractor Boys is to add another midfielder alongside Matusiwa.
Now, it is said that a new name to appear on the Ipswich Town shortlist is Ivorian midfielder Malick Yalcouye, who is back with Premier League side Brighton & Albion after a stint on loan in Austria with Sturm Graz.
Reporter Charlie Parker-Turner made the revelation on X, stating that while ITFC are keen, they have not made a concrete approach yet.
Brighton are weighing up their next move for Yalcouye, who has emerged as a top midfield prospect. He also has firm interest from Germany with TSG Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg making loan bids.
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Who is Malick Yalcouye?
Born in Mali but a citizen of Ivory Coast, Yalcouye started his career in the latter before a move to Sweden with IFK Goteborg. He wasn’t there long before appearing on Brighton’s radar, and he was duly snapped up for around £6m.
As the Seagulls do regularly with their new prospects, 19-year-old Yalcouye was sent out on loan, with Austria’s Sturm Graz snapping him up.
ipswich town, Ipswich Town face overseas competition for Brighton transfer swoop
Image courtesy of: GONZALO FUENTES/REUTERS.
Playing primarily in his central midfield role but also wide on the left or right of a midfield diamond, the rumoured Ipswich Town target flourished. He chipped in with four goals and two assists in 36 games across all competitions, testing himself in the UEFA Champions League against stern opposition as Sturm Graz also won the Austrian Bundesliga.
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Ipswich Town on the hunt for Matusiwa’s midfield partner?
With Ipswich Town sanctioning a move to the Middle East for Sam Morsy, their need for more midfield options grows.
They would have needed more depth there even if Morsy had stayed, with only Jack Taylor and Cameron Humphreys left as options alongside new boy Matusiwa.
The fresh addition from Stade Rennais is expected to hold a starting berth and if McKenna is to stick with the same 4-2-3-1 that has yielded great success with ITFC, he will likely require a new midfield partner for the Dutchman.
Yalcouye could be a fine option but with Bundesliga clubs keen and no firm offer made yet, perhaps ITFC plan on turning elsewhere in their midfielder hunt.
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