With the transfer window closed until Monday, Ipswich Town are yet to complete their first signing of the summer, but there have been plenty of rumours in the last few days. Alex Jones provides the latest round-up.
POTENTIAL DEPARTURES
Sammie Szmodics
SportsBoom claim that a number of Premier League sides have ‘expressed an interest’ in signing attacker Sammie Szmodics.
The 29-year-old moved to Portman Road from Blackburn Rovers last year, signing a four-year deal. He bagged four goals in his first season in the top flight, but missed most of the second half of the season through injury.
The report claims that Wolves, Everton and West Ham are all keen on signing him, with Szmodics keen to stay in the Premier League to ‘try and build on last season’ rather than dropping back down to the Championship.
Ipswich would apparently be ‘willing to cash in’ if the price is right, valuing him at £10-15m.
Verdict: From Town’s perspective, this makes no sense. Szmodics’ Championship record has been remarkable in the last couple of seasons, so selling him for around the same price as they bought him for would be bizarre.
For Szmodics, who turns 30 in September, he may have aspirations for one last move to play consistent Premier League football. Unless West Ham, the team he supports, come calling, I can’t see him pushing for it, and I’m not convinced that the Hammers will be looking to sign him. I think he stays.
Cameron Burgess
The Cameron Burgess transfer saga rattles on.
Yet to sign a new deal at Ipswich, with his current one set to expire in a matter of weeks, Girona and Rangers have already been linked with a move. Valencia CF are the latest club who have reportedly entered the race.
ElDesmarque have claimed that CEO Ron Gourlay met with the Australia international last week to discuss a potential move to Mestalla in case there are any defensive departures, with further contact made in the last few days.
They add that a formal approach is likely if contract talks with talented youngster Christian Mosquera break down, or if Eray Comert or Cenk Ozkacar depart this summer.
Burgess has been away on international duty in the last few days, helping the Socceroos secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Verdict: Valencia are a huge club, having won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and reached a Champions League final in the 21st century. Despite their recent struggles, Carlos Corberan has got them playing excellent football.
As I've said before, I'd understand Burgess leaving Ipswich to get one last big move, especially with restricted minutes at Portman Road. I don't think he'd get many bigger than this. If the interest from Valencia is genuine, you'd say it would be hard to turn down.
POTENTIAL SIGNINGS
Jens Cajuste
The story everybody wants to know about – is Jens Cajuste coming back to Ipswich?
In our exclusive chat with Mark Ashton, he told us that negotiations are ongoing about a potential return for the midfielder. “It would need to be something that’s right for us, him and his club – and that dialogue continues.”
Journalist Damiano Er Faina claimed that Napoli had offered cash plus Cajuste for Dutch midfielder Kenneth Taylor, but Ajax reporters have said that this is not the case. Gianmarco Giordano, who covers Napoli, has said that Town are in talks for another loan with a €10m obligation to buy.
Verdict: Quite a few different rumours here. Ultimately, the man to listen to is Ashton, who said that negotiations are ongoing. Until something more concrete comes out, there’s little to build on.
He’s clearly someone who can play at the top level, but he seems settled in Ipswich and injuries may limit his options. I do fear that his fitness issues could really be a problem in the Championship, but that’s the risk if you can sign a player of his quality below the top flight.
Lewis Travis
Remember Lewis Travis? He came to Ipswich in January 2024, signing on a half-season loan from Blackburn Rovers following a rift between him and manager Jon Dahl Tomasson. He played nine games for the Blues before returning to Ewood Park, playing 38 Championship games last season.
There’s now a lot of interest in him, with Wrexham seemingly leading the chase. Wrexham Insider claims that the Dragons ‘could face interest’ from Town and Sheffield United, while Birmingham City and Derby County have been linked by other outlets.
A deal would reportedly cost £2-3m, but Blackburn are keen on keeping him.
Verdict: I always feel a little on edge when a player is linked with so many clubs. There’s no doubt Travis has quite a few suitors, but it also feels a bit agent-driven to me.
I can’t see Ipswich making a move for the 27-year-old, who had limited game time in their last Championship campaign. Midfield reinforcements are needed, and while signing Travis would be good value for money, I’d say Ipswich are looking a level or two above.
OTHER RUMOURS
Kieran McKenna
I’ve already done a bit on Kieran McKenna’s Brentford links, but I think it’s worth talking about again.
Thomas Frank’s move to Tottenham is done. The Bees will be looking for a new boss, and there are now multiple outlets – such as TalkSPORT and The Mirror - claiming that they will turn to McKenna.
SunSport, on the other hand, have said that “McKenna is happy at Ipswich and determined to take the club back to the Prem following their relegation”.
The Northern Irishman is currently the favourite with BetVictor to take over in West London.
Verdict: Not a lot to say here after last time. When Frank’s move to North London is announced, we may hear a bit more, but I still don’t think that McKenna will be the next Brentford boss, as big a draw as the Premier League is.
Omari Hutchinson
There’s been plenty of speculation about Omari Hutchinson, who apparently had a £35m relegation release clause that has attracted interest from the likes of Leeds United, West Ham and Aston Villa.
GiveMeSport, however, have claimed that he is expected to stay at Ipswich this summer, with the club confident of keeping him.
There have been ‘no serious approaches’ from Premier League sides despite internal fears that he could move on, with ‘key decision-makers’ planning for him to play Championship football in Suffolk next season.
Hutchinson is currently away with England Under-21s, who are playing at Euro U21 in Slovakia this summer.
Verdict: Regardless of whether or not the source is reliable, I’ve always felt that Hutchinson is likely to stay at Ipswich. For all his potential, £35m is a lot to spend on a player who bagged three goals and two assists in the Premier League last season.
He’ll be better off for another season in the Championship, and I believe he and his advisors know that. There won’t be any huge desire to move on this summer, and the longer the transfer window drags on, the less likely a departure will be.
