POTENTIAL DEPARTURES
Sam Morsy's contract is set to expire next summerSam Morsy's contract is set to expire next summer (Image: Ross Halls)
Sam Morsy
With Liam Delap gone, the rumour mill surrounding potential departures will slow down. Players will still leave the club between now and the start of the season, but most expect skipper Sam Morsy to stay.
TeamTALK have reported that Ipswich are ‘willing to let him leave for free’ this summer, even though he still has one year left on his current contract, which ‘aligns with their broader strategy to rejuvenate the squad’. Saudi clubs have previously been linked with the midfielder and he is apparently ‘open’ to a move to the Middle East.
READ MORE: 'We have to get back to that mentality' - Morsy on tough summer ahead for Town
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Newcastle United at the end of April, where Town’s relegation was confirmed, I asked Morsy whether he could confirm he would be at the club next season. He replied: “Of course, yeah. I’m committed to the club.”
Would one last big move appeal to him?
Verdict: Ipswich surely wouldn’t want to move Morsy on unless he specifically asked for a new challenge. Yes, a midfield rebuild is required this summer, but letting a player like him leave for free would be a questionable decision unless he’s the one pushing to depart.
Of course, approaching 34, he won’t have much time left to secure one last big move. If that appeals, then a summer exit surely wouldn’t be out of the equation. Losing his tenacity and leadership would be a big blow, however. He’d be hard to replace.
I don’t see him moving on just yet.
Brentford are reportedly eyeing up Kieran McKenna if Thomas Frank joins TottenhamBrentford are reportedly eyeing up Kieran McKenna if Thomas Frank joins Tottenham (Image: Ross Halls)
Kieran McKenna
Ah, here we go again.
Remember last summer, when Kieran McKenna was linked with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton? The rumour mill didn't just come to life, it exploded - all for nothing. In the end, he signed a new long-term deal to stay at Ipswich.
After confirming his intentions to stay in Suffolk before relegation was confirmed, fans hoped for a summer without speculation, but Football Insider have claimed that Brentford are keen to appoint McKenna as their new manager if Thomas Frank leaves for Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite winning the Europa League, Ange Postecoglou's future is in doubt in North London, with Frank listed among the favourites to replace him. The report suggests that "McKenna is rated highly by Brentford's recruitment team, and they believe he could be an ideal fit despite overseeing Ipswich's relegation to the Championship last season."
Verdict: McKenna is clearly committed to the project at Ipswich and I don't see him moving on at this stage. His new contract has him on high wages and will surely include a hefty clause to take him away from Portman Road.
If he does go, Brentford would be a great fit. They are stable in the Premier League, boast a strong recruitment model and like to develop young talent. I just don't think this will materialise, even if Frank does move to Spurs.
POTENTIAL SIGNINGS
Marc Guiu could replace Delap at Portman RoadMarc Guiu could replace Delap at Portman Road (Image: PA)
Marc Guiu
With Delap heading to Chelsea, Ipswich need a new striker. Numerous reports suggest that they have already opened talks with Enzo Maresca’s side to sign Marc Guiu on loan for the 2025/26 campaign.
The 19-year-old came through FC Barcelona’s academy, joining Chelsea after making just seven senior appearances for the La Liga giants. Minutes at Stamford Bridge have also been hard to come by, but he was reliable in last season’s Europa Conference League, where he finished as the club’s top scorer with six goals.
READ MORE: Ashton on why Town had to accept Delap relegation clause and 'well protected' comment
A 6ft 2in left-footed no.9, Guiu has only featured three times in the Premier League and looks set for a temporary exit, with Delap and Nicolas Jackson set to compete alongside another striker at Chelsea – potentially Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg – Chelsea’s sister club – are also credited with interest in the young Spaniard. They can offer top-tier and Conference League football. Guiu may need some convincing to drop down to the Championship.
Verdict: This one makes a lot of sense. Maresca knows Kieran McKenna well and would surely back him to develop a young talent like Guiu. He has all the attributes to kick on with regular football in the Championship, but would he drop down?
Everything suggests that Ipswich’s interest is concrete, I’m just not convinced that Guiu would see this as the right move for him if a move to Strasbourg is on the table.
Divin Mubama joined Manchester City from West Ham last summerDivin Mubama joined Manchester City from West Ham last summer (Image: PA)
Divin Mubama
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Ipswich are considering an ‘initial request’ for the terms to sign Divin Mubama from Manchester City.
The striker struggled for game time at boyhood club West Ham, where he was limited to late cameos and the odd appearance in the Conference League. He ended up moving to the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract, with the Hammers receiving a £2m compensation fee.
READ MORE:Two depart but consistency remains key - assessing Town's 2025 retained list
He made his senior debut back in January, scoring in an 8-0 FA Cup win against Salford City, before making his first Premier League appearance for them in the 6-0 win at Portman Road a few days later. He has primarily featured for their U21s, netting 10 goals, including a hat-trick against Chelsea.
The report suggests that Man City will ask for £10m to let Mubama leave, with LOSC Lille also interested.
Verdict: 20 years old, 6ft tall, powerful and raw, Mubama is an exciting talent – the type you’d back McKenna to really develop over a period of time. He has all the attributes to be a top striker, which is why Man City opted to sign him from West Ham. £10m would be a fair fee to take him on.
Having him and George Hirst competing to lead the line would give Town good options. The source is obviously reliable, but there will be competition. One to watch – Ipswich will have a few targets in this position.
Town made a deadline day bid for Emmanuel Latte Lath last summerTown made a deadline day bid for Emmanuel Latte Lath last summer (Image: PA)
Emmanuel Latte Lath
And so we’re back here again. Ipswich bid for Emmanuel Latte Lath on deadline day last summer, but Middlesbrough rejected it and he ended up staying until January before making a big-money move to MLS side Atlanta United for a league record fee of around £22.5m.
The striker signed a four-year deal, but things haven’t really worked out in the United States for him so far. He hasn’t really adapted, scoring five goals in 16 appearances – his last coming at the end of March.
READ MORE: 10 players who could potentially follow Delap out the door this summer
As a result, the Northern Echo have reported that Ipswich have reignited their interest and are keen to sign him this summer to replace Delap. He boasts a strong Championship goalscoring record from his time at the Riverside Stadium, scoring the opener at Portman Road at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Verdict: I’d be confident in saying that Latte Lath is a name on Ipswich’s striker shortlist. He’s been a target in the past and has a good pedigree in the second tier. Atlanta, however, would surely ask for a huge transfer fee to let him go after a few months.
On top of that, I’m just not sure that he’s the right fit for the type of football McKenna wants to play. He’s a fast, agile attacker who likes to play off the shoulder of the last defender. McKenna values power, physical presence and hold-up play in his no.9. I don’t think this will materialise.
Tom Dele-Bashiru is reportedly a target for Kieran McKenna's sideTom Dele-Bashiru is reportedly a target for Kieran McKenna's side (Image: PA)
Tom Dele-Bashiru
Football League World have claimed that Ipswich are readying a bid to sign Tom Dele-Bashiru from Championship rivals Watford.
The report states that the Hornets will ask for £8m to let him leave Vicarage Road this summer, but that Town aren’t willing to part with that amount of money to bring him in.
The 24-year-old has scored four goals in 27 appearances for the Hornets, who parted company with manager Tom Cleverley at the end of the season, appointing Uruguan Paulo Pezzolano as his replacement.
READ MORE: 'We're going to have suitors' - Ashton on how many players will be sold this summer
Dele-Bashiru plays in a deep-lying midfield role, but found himself behind Imran Louza and Pierre Dwomoh towards the latter stages of the campaign.
Verdict: It’s clear that Ipswich need a midfield revamp, so the rumours will be coming thick and fast in the next few weeks, but I don’t think Dele-Bashiru will end up in Suffolk.