A general view outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Manchester United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on May 04, 2025 in Brentford, England.placeholder image
A general view outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Manchester United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on May 04, 2025 in Brentford, England. | Getty Images
Brentford are looking to add to their squad before the September 1 transfer deadline
Brentford remain interest in Omari Hutchinson and are ‘keeping an eye’ on the player’s situation at Ipswich Town after Nottingham Forest reportedly had a bid rejected for the former Arsenal and Chelsea man.
Hutchinson joined Ipswich on a permanent deal from Chelsea last summer but was not able to prevent the Tractor Boys from being relegated in their first top-flight campaign. They have lost striker Liam Delap to Chelsea after the Blues activated his £30m release clause.
Hutchinson too had a release clause in his contract but that expired in mid-July. Brentford did make offers for the player but according to the East Anglian Daily Times, a £35m offer from the Bees last month did not meet the terms of the release clause.
It means Hutchinson remains an Ipswich player, as they prepare to kick off their Championship campaign at much-fancied Birmingham City on Friday night.
Nottingham Forest £35m bid rejected for Omari Hutchinson
Brentford’s Premier League rivals have made a move for Hutchinson with a £35m bid for the forward but it has been rejected by Ipswich. Sky Sports News have reported that “it will take a much higher fee for Ipswich to part with the winger.”
The £35m offer is the same as the player’s expired relegation clause. Hutchinson is viewed as a potential replacement for Bryan Mbeumo and the Bees “continue to keep an eye on his situation.”
The rejected Forest bid has also been reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic who notes that “Brentford’s interest remains”. Hutchinson came through Arsenal’s youth academy and moved across London to Chelsea in 2022 but only made two appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit before a £22.5m permanent exit last summer. He had spent the previous season at Ipswich on loan as they were promoted to the Premier League.
Omari Hutchinson advised to stick with Ipswich Town
Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman has advised Hutchinson to stick with Ipswich this season, speaking last month when Brentford’s interest was more intense, he said: "He had an amazing season in the Championship during the promotion season, but like literally everybody in that Ipswich Town squad, with the exception probably of Liam Delap, they struggled.
“Omari struggled in the Premier League, so if he did move to a Premier League club at this stage, I'm not sure he'd be a starter week in and week out. For his development, he should stay there, for me.
“It’s easy for me to say because I'm not the player, but I think he'd be better off staying in what looks like a very, very strong Ipswich team for next season rather than going to a Premier League team and being a bit-part player. Ultimately, the lure of the Premier League, I do understand as a player if offers come for him, then you would understand that he'd be keen.”
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