Ao Tanaka helped Leeds survive in the Premier League last season (Image: PA)
AO TANAKA
There’s a bit of a feeling that Ipswich missed the boat with Ao Tanaka, who spent two years with German friends Fortuna Dusseldorf, even playing a pre-season friendly at Portman Road in 2024. Around a month later, he departed for then Championship side Leeds United.
The Japan international helped Daniel Farke’s men secure promotion to the Premier League, then survive in the top flight last season, where his 28 appearances were split evenly between starts and cameos.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenburg reported back in April that he’s open to leaving Elland Road this summer, with a fee of €10-12m (around £8.5m-10.2m) likely required.
An intelligent no.8 with a press-resistant touch, excellent work rate and strong ball progression, I think Tanaka would be a great partner for Azor Matusiwa, and the 27-year-old now has two years of English football experience under his belt.
Jordan James has returned to Rennes after his loan spell at Leicester (Image: PA)
JORDAN JAMES
Jordan James has had an unusual career so far. Born in Hereford, he came through the ranks at Birmingham City and eventually progressed to their first team, making more than 100 appearances for them in all competitions. However, relegation to League One saw him depart, joining Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
The 24-year-old showed flashes of real quality in France, but he returned to England with Leicester City last season – yet another relegation to League One. This one certainly wasn’t his fault as he was the Foxes’ best player by far. With question marks over his future at Roazhon Park, I think James is ready for the Premier League.
He’s not the finished product yet, but comes with real experience, including 26 Wales caps. James is a relentless presser, he’s strong into duels and loves hovering around the penalty area. Expect fierce competition for his signature.
Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson played for Scotland at the World Cup (Image: PA)
LEWIS FERGUSON
It sounds like Lewis Ferguson will be on the move this summer. The 27-cap Scotland international left for Italy after stints at Hamilton Academical and Aberdeen, signing for Bologna in 2022. He has played Champions League football with the Serie A side and won the Coppa Italia last year.
Ferguson has been linked with English teams already, but boyhood club Rangers seem to be front of the queue. It remains to be seen whether a Premier League side will look to gazump them for the Bologna captain.
The 26-year-old is an all-rounder. He can score goals from midfield, press with intensity and he has a strong tactical understanding. Despite his serious ACL injury in 2024, he seems robust and is strong physically. It couldn’t hurt to add another natural leader into the group, too.
Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde can play in a number of different positions (Image: PA)
LAMARE BOGARDE
Lamare Bogarde feels similar to Town target Tim Iroegbunam. No, he’s not the most exciting name on the list, but he’s a solid option who would add extra height and defensive solidity into Ipswich’s midfield.
The 22-year-old joined Aston Villa from Feyenoord, and after a couple of loan spells at Bristol Rovers in League One, he’s worked his way into Unai Emery’s thoughts, featuring 28 times (11 starts) in the Premier League last season.
It’s believed that he could be available this summer, however, despite Youri Tielemans’ departure. Ipswich would get an athletic utility player who can read danger, drop into defence and play in a number of different positions, including Matusiwa's role. Brighton and Sunderland have both been linked.
Andy Diouf left Lens to join Inter Milan last summer (Image: PA)
ANDY DIOUF
Andy Diouf’s career has primarily been based in his native France, barring a brief stint at Basel and last summer’s move to Inter Milan from Lens. The fee was reported to be over £20m including add-ons, but it hasn’t seen him nail down a regular starting spot at the San Siro.
In fact, the 23-year-old made just four starts last season, with his other 15 appearances in the Italian top flight coming off the bench. He did score against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, however, as well as a late equaliser on the final day of the season against Bologna.
So, what now? Inter have spent big to sign midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic from Club Brugge, so I think Diouf could be on the move, probably on loan. Whoever gets him will have a 6’2 dynamic ball carrier who can showcase impressive acceleration with powerful midfield runs, carrying the ball from deep while covering loads of ground.
Joe Willock is heading into the final year of his contract at Newcastle (Image: PA)
JOE WILLOCK
Joe Willock is another midfielder expected to be on the move this summer. The 26-year-old has clocked up regular minutes for Newcastle since his loan move from Arsenal was made permanent in 2021, making 168 appearances in all competitions since then.
The former England youth international came through at the Gunners’ academy and progressed into their first team, playing 78 times for them. Given that he started just 10 Premier League games for Newcastle last season, an exit from St. James’ Park seems likely.
The Magpies would need to add cover before letting him go, with Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham and Bruno Guimaraes keen on moving to Arsenal, but Willock would surely attract a lot of interest. He has loads of top-flight experience and is a great athlete who can carry the ball well in transitions while scoring goals from midfield.
Fulham reportedly had a £20m bid rejected in January, weeks after Willock's Champions League equaliser away at PSG. With a year left on his deal and injuries a bit of a concern, I think he’ll go for a slightly lower fee this summer.
SAMIR EL MOURABET
Born in Strasbourg, Samir El Mourabet has only ever played for his boyhood club, making his senior debut in 2024. Now 20, he has just come off a full season of regular minutes in Ligue 1, having also made five cameo appearances for Morocco at the World Cup.
Signing him this summer wouldn’t be easy, and he could be one in line for a future move to Chelsea due to the BlueCo ownership structure. Nonetheless, El Mourabet was a crucial player under O’Neil at Strasbourg, which could play a part.
An elegant left-footer, he’s tall, press resistant, and covers loads of ground. Given his tactical intelligence and his confidence on the pitch, you’d never believe he was such a young player.
ISAK JOHANNESSON
Despite being born in Sutton Coldfield, just outside of Birmingham, Isak Johannesson has never played in England, instead building his career in Scandinavia with Icelandic club IA (where he made his senior debut at age 15), Swedish side IFK Norrkoping and Danish giants Copenhagen.
A stint at Fortuna Dusseldorf followed, making him the second player on the list to start in that friendly at Portman Road, alongside midfield partner Tanaka. The 23-year-old then joined Bundesliga side FC Koln last summer, playing in 31 of their 34 league games in 2025/26. He also has 44 Iceland caps to his name.
Johannesson spent time on trial at Ajax and Brighton earlier in his career, while West Ham are said to be keen after relegation to the Championship. A sharp technical playmaker, he boats a top passing range, excellent vision and slick movement. He can dictate games from deep and has a good set-piece delivery in his locker.