According to reports, Ipswich Town is one of two clubs considering signing an out-of-favour international ace during the January transfer window.
Ipswich’s significant spending has yet to pay off.
Following consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League, Ipswich were one of the most active clubs in the transfer window as they sought to strengthen their squad.
After securing manager Kieran McKenna’s future amid interest from across the top tier, they invested extensively in their team in order to prevent relegation to the Championship.
Omari Hutchinson led the expenditure, as the Tractor Boys converted his loan move into a permanent one for little under £20 million, while also plundering the Championship to recruit Arijanet Muric, Jacob Greaves, Jack Clarke, Dara O’Shea, and Sammie Szmodics.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Liam Delap and Kalvin Phillips were both recruited, with the latter joining the East Anglian club on loan and Delap signing a long-term contract at Portman Road.
Despite the transfer activity, there are still holes in the Ipswich squad, and McKenna is still waiting for his first Premier League win as a manager, with defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City followed by draws against Fulham and Brighton, leaving the East Anglian side narrowly above the relegation zone.
| Ipswich Town’s new signings summer 2024 | |
| Player | Fee (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Omari Hutchinson | €23.5m |
| Jacob Greaves | €21.5m |
| Liam Delap | €17.85m |
| Jack Clarke | €17.7m |
| Dara O’Shea | €14.2m |
| Sammie Szmodics | €10.6m |
| Arijanet Muric | €9.55m |
| Chiedoze Ogbene | €9.5m |
| Conor Townsend | €590k |
| Jens Cajuste | Loan |
| Kalvin Phillips | Loan |
| Ben Johnson | Free |
and with just two points from four Premier League games.
As a result, additional transfer activity is expected in January, and a possible target has surfaced.
Ipswich are interested in a defender who earns £200,000 a week.
That comes as The Sun reports that McKenna’s side are considering a surprise approach to capture Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell in January as he seeks a way out of Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca officially labeled the England international as an outcast this summer, explaining:
“When you train every day and not get any minutes it is not good for them or for me and I need to make a decision.”
“It’s probably best to leave and go get some minutes. The transfer window is open; we’ll see what happens.”
However, Chilwell was unable to secure a move away and, as a result, was reintegrated into the first team, being chosen to Chelsea’s Premier League squad for the opening half of the season.
But he is clearly not wanted by Chelsea, and with Marc Cucurella and summer addition Renato Veiga ahead of him in the pecking order, he is certain to leave, with the Blues eager to get rid of his £200,000 per week pay.
According to The Sun, Ipswich are on “red alert” over a prospective January move for the England international, which would most likely be on loan given his pay demands. His arrival may allow for some rotation for current fullback Leif Davis, who excelled in the Championship but has seen his defensive ability tested in the early stages of the Premier League season. Meanwhile, in Chilwell, Ipswich would acquire a player hailed “fantastic” by former manager Frank Lampard, and one with a point to prove.
“I thought Ben Chilwell made a wonderful contribution in every way. He scores a goal, assists another player, and is constantly eager to contribute. We know he’s ready for the Premier League because he’s played in it. as well as he has for Leicester, and he appeared to have been with us for a long time,” Lampard said during his initial spell with the club.
It might be a move that benefits all parties and increases Ipswich’s prospects of survival.
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