Marcus Harness will leave Portman Road this summerMarcus Harness will leave Portman Road this summer (Image: Ross Halls)
Two painful farewells
We all knew about Massimo Luongo’s departure. Being able to say goodbye to him ahead of the 3-1 defeat to West Ham on the final day of the season was a nice tough. It was an emotional goodbye for a fantastic player – someone who’s clearly a really good person.
He isn’t the only Town player to depart this summer, however. Marcus Harness will also move on, and that one hurts too.
The winger signed ahead of the promotion-winning League One season, helping the Blues go up from the Championship before featuring in the first two games of the Premier League season. Even though he wasn’t a regular for a sizeable chunk of his time in Suffolk, fans have grown to love him and will really miss him.
Ipswich opted against triggering the 12-month extension on his contract, which would have allowed them to sell him this summer for a fee. Although this is a bit of a surprise, it’s good to see that they are doing what’s best for a player who’s given a lot.
What next for Harness? A free transfer probably opens up more choices this summer. Could he return to Derby County after his successful loan spell? He should have plenty of options on the table.
The Blues are still in talks about extending Cameron Burgess' contractThe Blues are still in talks about extending Cameron Burgess' contract (Image: Ross Halls)
Talks continue
As expected, nothing has been agreed with Cameron Burgess or Axel Tuanzebe yet. Both players are at the very end of their respective contracts, so they can leave for free if they want to.
Burgess didn’t play week in, week out in the Premier League. With Jacob Greaves in the squad, that’s unlikely to change if he stays. With links to La Liga outfit Girona and Scottish giants Rangers, he needs to take some time to figure out what’s best for him.
Of course, we all want him to stay. He’s been a key figure in the squad, so losing him along with Luongo and Harness would really sting.
Tuanzebe, on the other hand, has always played when fit. Injuries have hampered his momentum at times, but he’s shown his quality in the Championship and the Premier League.
On a free transfer, you would imagine that a number of top teams in Europe and abroad will be interested, however. Like Burgess, there’s a decision to be made and he has to be careful with it.
We won’t have to wait too much longer to find out. My gut feeling is that both will search for pastures new, however.
Town have triggered Elkan Baggott's 12-month contract extensionTown have triggered Elkan Baggott's 12-month contract extension (Image: Ross Halls)
Set to stay
Town’s four loanees have returned to their parent clubs – we’ve already had a look at whether or not they could find themselves back at Portman Road in the coming weeks and months.
Elkan Baggott, who spent last season out on loan at League One side Blackpool, has had a 12-month contract extension triggered. Will Ipswich look to sell him this summer to earn a fee for a homegrown player, or will he be loaned out again?
I don’t think he’s ready to contribute to a Championship campaign, but he turns 23 in October and will need regular football soon. Another season in the third tier seems most likely.
Other than that, it’s as you were. Everyone else is under contract, although 10 players are heading into their final year. They are: Baggott, Christian Walton, Harry Clarke, Conor Townsend, Sam Morsy, Jack Taylor, Cameron Humphreys, Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead.
The Blues can trigger 12-month extensions for Harry Clarke and Humphreys, but will need to think about the others.
Liam Delap’s departure to Chelsea should be imminent. Others, like Omari Hutchinson and Ben Johnson, have also been linked with moves away. We should get a clearer picture with that soon.
Town will start executing their summer transfer plans soonTown will start executing their summer transfer plans soon (Image: PA)
Verdict
There isn’t a lot to discuss here. As mentioned, it’s hard to see Luongo and Harness move on, but right that they can leave for free to secure the best move possible. I think both will end up in the Championship, so we’ll see them next season.
Baggott’s extension clause gives the club time to assess what’s best for him, and they are clearly doing all they can to keep Burgess and Tuanzebe in Suffolk. Whether or not it will be enough remains to be seen.
The core group is tied down, however, and that’s important. There haven’t been many contract decisions for this summer, and I’m confident that Town will look to move early when it comes to offering deals to those who are at the end of their current ones.
That stability should take them a long way.
RELEASED
Massimo Luongo, Marcus Harness
LOANS EXPIRED
Ben Godfrey, Kalvin Phillips, Jens Cajuste, Julio Enciso
12 MONTH EXTENSION OPTION TAKEN
Elkan Baggott
IN TALKS
Axel Tuanzebe, Cameron Burgess
UNDER CONTRACT
2026: Christian Walton, Harry Clarke*, Conor Townsend, Sam Morsy, Jack Taylor, Cameron Humphreys*, Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin, Nathan Broadhead
2027: Luke Woolfenden*, George Hirst
2028: Alex Palmer, Aro Muric, Cieran Slicker, Ben Johnson, Leif Davis, Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics, Jack Clarke, Ali Al-Hamadi
2029: Dara O'Shea, Jacob Greaves, Omari Hutchinson, Jaden Philogene, Liam Delap
* Known 12 months extension option in club's favour