Ipswich Town haven't quite been at their scintillating best this season, but despite this, automatic promotion is still a real possibility for the Tractor Boys, who are looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
Following their relegation from the top flight last year, in which they'd spent just a solitary season at the pinnacle of English football, Ipswich set their sights immediately on a return.
Under Northern Irish boss Kieran McKenna, the Suffolk-based outfit soared through League One and the Championship on their way to the Premier League, and are looking for a third separate promotion under the guidance of the 39-year-old.
Despite the losses of the likes of Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson, Nathan Broadhead, Sam Morsy, and Massimo Luongo over the summer, they have done well to not completely fall off and remain in strong contention for automatic promotion in the latter stages of the campaign.
George Hirst was selected to be the main man up top at Portman Road this season, whilst Ivan Azon was brought in on loan from Italian side Como for the season, whilst Chuba Akpom joined on loan from Dutch side Ajax with an obligation to buy if they are promoted.
However, they missed out on one target in particular who could have made the world of difference up front this year, and they should look to return to a potential deal this summer if promotion is secured.
Marc Guiu
With Liam Delap heading to Chelsea in the summer from Ipswich in a £30 million deal, the Tractor Boys were looking to bring a forward in the other direction from the Blues.
Ipswich had identified young Spanish striker Marc Guiu as a potential option to fill the void at the top of the pitch following Delap's exit, but they would eventually miss out on his signature to Premier League newcomers Sunderland.
Guiu would switch to Wearside on loan, though his time at the Stadium of Light was only brief, as Chelsea recalled him after just three appearances for the Black Cats due to Delap picking up an injury and Nicolas Jackson making the move to Bayern Munich.
Since then, the former Barcelona forward has barely featured this season, with 12 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea so far this campaign, with crucial development time not being made the most of for Guiu.
The 20-year-old cannot afford to waste another year on the bench next season, and should look to depart West London in the summer, whether that's permanently or on loan, and Ipswich could be an excellent destination for him to land.
Should Ipswich look to target Marc Guiu in the summer once again if promotion is secured, or should they look elsewhere? Share your thoughts below!
With McKenna having already stated his intent on signing Guiu, should Ipswich return to the Premier League next campaign, he should look to bring the Spaniard to Portman Road after his previous failed attempt.
None of Hirst, Azon, or Akpom has hit the heights that the Northern Irish boss would have hoped for this year, and another body up top must be a priority in the summer, regardless of what division they are in.
If a Premier League return is secured, signing Guiu would become a more feasible option for Ipswich, who should look to finally get a deal for the Spanish youth international over the line.
Kieran McKenna must target striker reinforcements in the summer amid previous Marc Guiu link
Kieran McKenna
Regardless of which tier they will be playing their football in next season, Ipswich simply must target a new centre-forward to lead their line.
Doubts over Hirst's long-term future with the Tractor Boys have come into question, with the Englishman having failed to live up to the standards that Delap set last year in a higher division, whilst Azon is expected to return to Como following the expiry of his loan spell.
Even if Akpom's move is made permanent upon their promotion, it's seriously unlikely that the Arsenal academy product would lead the line for them in the top flight.
McKenna has tended to prefer a physical presence as his focal point of attack, with each of Hirst, Kieffer Moore, and Delap being three clear examples of his preference over the years.
Standing at six-foot-two-inches tall, Guiu fits the bill for what the Northern Irishman looks for in a striker, as Ipswich should absolutely look to get this move over the line in the summer.