Newcastle's Nick Pope is one of the names on the Blues' shortlist, while Manchester United's Radek Vitek and Viktor Johansson of Stoke City have also been linked.
Alex Jones takes a look at six alternatives Town could target...
Mike Penders played under Gary O'Neil at Strasbourg (Image: PA)
MIKE PENDERS
Can Gary O’Neil pull some strings with BlueCo? If he can, Mike Penders might be towards the top of the targets list. The pair worked together while at Strasbourg. Penders now finds himself back at Chelsea, facing competition from Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen to start.
The 20-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup with Belgium, came through the ranks at Genk before moving to Stamford Bridge last summer. He’s yet to play for the Blues, however, and Xabi Alonso will surely take time to assess him over the summer.
At his age, experience is key, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him given a Premier League loan – previous links with O’Neil would surely make Ipswich an option. He’s tall (6’7), an impressive distributor and really comfortable on the ball. Penders could certainly be a future star at the highest level of the game.
Japan international Zion Suzuki is attracting interest from top clubs (Image: PA)
ZION SUZUKI
There are a couple of ambitious names on this list and Zion Suzuki is one of them. The 23-year-old has a fascinating background, born in Newark, New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and a Japanese mother. He represents Japan at international level and impressed at the World Cup.
Suzuki was playing for boyhood club Urawa Red Diamonds up until 2023, when he joined Belgian club Sint-Truiden on loan before securing a permanent switch to Serie A side Parma the following campaign.
Strong performances in Italy have caught the eye, reportedly attracting the likes of Aston Villa and Leeds. He encapsulates the profile of a modern goalkeeper – sharp reflexes and outstanding athleticism. Could Ipswich pull off a shock swoop? It might be tricky.
Aaron Ramsdale is set to return to Southampton after his loan spell at Newcastle (Image: PA)
AARON RAMSDALE
Aaron Ramsdale could be a more realistic option. The 28-year-old should be available after his loan spell at Newcastle, with parent club Southampton surely looking to shift him on after failing to escape the Championship.
Ramsdale boasts impressive experience, having thrived in the Premier League for Bournemouth and Sheffield United before his switch to Arsenal. The last couple of seasons have undoubtedly been harder for the five-cap England international, who needs a new home to kick on.
I don’t think it would break the bank to sign Ramsdale, who boasts brilliant reflexes and comes across as the right kind of character for the Ipswich dressing room. Yes, there are moments of inconsistency and concentration lapses, but he’s still a strong option in my eyes.
Carl Rushworth was arguably the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season (Image: PA)
CARL RUSHWORTH
Carl Rushworth felt destined for a permanent move to Coventry after his successful loan spell last season, but parent club Brighton reportedly rejected their first bid, so his future remains up in the air.
Ipswich are said to have been interested in Rushworth in the past, having followed his various loan spells since 2019 when he first joined the Seagulls. The 24-year-old was arguably the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season, but given that he’s yet to feature for Brighton, he’ll want guaranteed minutes to stay at the Amex Stadium. I can't see that happening if Bart Vergbruggen stays.
Stealing Rushworth from Coventry’s grasp would be sweet, although he wouldn’t come cheap. He’s got traits of an elite shot-stopper with loads of room to grow and develop. I think he’s a future England international who could go on to become a top-level Premier League goalkeeper.
Lukas Hornicek was part of the Czech Republic's World Cup squad (Image: PA)
LUKAS HORNICEK
Lukas Hornicek has had a pretty remarkable rise, leaving Czech club Pardubice after a decade to join Braga on an initial trial loan back in 2019. Flash forward to 2026 and he’s being linked with the likes of Inter Milan, Leeds and Hull.
The 6’6 shot-stopper subsequently became the biggest sale in Pardubice’s history, working his way up the ranks at Braga through the youth sides and B-team before making his senior debut for the club in 2022. He’s a senior international for the Czech Republic now and was named in their World Cup squad.
Like Suzuki, Hornicek comes across as a proper athlete. The 23-year-old is comfortable in possession and has shown good reflexes, even if his positioning has been called into question at times. After an impressive campaign in Portugal, I think he’s ready for the next step in his career.
Kamil Grabara is expected to leave Wolfsburg after suffering relegation to the 2. Bundesliga (Image: PA)
KAMIL GRABARA
Kamil Grabara has had to rebuild his career, to an extent, having failed to make a senior appearance for Liverpool in five years at Anfield. During that time, he had two loan spells at Danish side AGF and a stint at Huddersfield Town in the Championship.
A permanent move to FC Copenhagen followed in 2021. He became their no.1, starring in the league and in Europe, which earned him his senior debut for Poland and a switch to German outfit Wolfsburg in 2024.
Last season’s relegation to the 2. Bundesliga means that Grabara will likely be on the move. I don’t think he’s to blame for their terrible campaign, and whoever takes him on will get a commanding goalkeeper with a strong aerial presence. He’s much better with the ball at his feet, but has occasionally taken unnecessary risks in possession that have been punished.