"Don't go near him" - Stark Ipswich Town warning issued over potential transfer for 25-cap international | OneFootball

A decision revolves around Swedish midfielder Jens Cajuste, whose loan arrangement from Napoli included a purchase option that has been impacted

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Following Ipswich Town's relegation from the Premier League, the club faces crucial decisions about their squad composition ahead of their Championship campaign.

One key dilemma revolves around Swedish midfielder Jens Cajuste, whose loan arrangement from Napoli included a purchase option that has now been impacted by their relegation.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined the Tractor Boys last summer on a loan deal from Napoli that cost €1.5 million, with a conditional purchase obligation of €11.5-13.5 million that was dependent on the Blues avoiding relegation, and with their drop to the Championship now confirmed, Ipswich are no longer obligated to purchase Cajuste this coming summer.

Cajuste has made 27 Premier League appearances this season, contributing one goal, with most of his appearances coming as a starter.

Ipswich Town decision looms for Jens Cajuste’s future at Portman Road

Despite showing glimpses of quality, the Swedish international's time at Portman Road has been somewhat hampered by fitness concerns, making his potential permanent signing a complex decision for the club.

FLW spoke to their resident Ipswich Town Fan Pundit, Adam Wilkin, about whether the club should pursue a permanent deal for Cajuste as they prepare for life back in the second tier.

"With Jens my heart says absolutely yes, 100% keep him. He's been one of my favourite players to watch in the Premier League this season, he's just so classy and skillful on the ball and he's definitely a Premier League player," Adam told FLW.

"My head on the other hand says don’t go near him in the Championship, mainly because of his injury record, and I think that actually for the Championship season, Ipswich should be looking for a more dynamic, strong, ball-winning, box-to-box style midfielder.

"I think with his injury problems and schedule in the Championship, a lot of Saturday - Tuesdays, he’s struggled to play 75 minutes this season, let alone 90.

"So for me, unless it was a very, very good deal, I wouldn’t go in for him, and even if it was an option, I think he could definitely get top tier clubs interested in him after the season he’s had."

Tough Championship schedule raises questions for Jens Cajuste deal

Adam's concerns about Cajuste's suitability for the Championship calendar hold merit, especially given the division's notorious schedule intensity.

The midfielder's statistics show he averaged just 67 minutes per appearance in the Premier League this season, suggesting stamina or fitness issues that could be further tested in the Championship's congested fixture list.

The financial aspects also cannot be ignored. Any permanent deal would likely command a significant portion of Ipswich's transfer budget, with the original purchase option set at around €13.5 million. Even with parachute payments, for a club adjusting to the financial realities of relegation, committing such resources to a player with fitness concerns does represent a gamble.

While Cajuste demonstrated technical quality at Premier League level, scoring once and creating 11 key passes across his appearances, the distinct physical demands of Championship football might require a different profile of midfielder, as Adam suggests.

With manager Kieran Mckenna hoping for an immediate promotion push, the coming weeks may reveal whether he believes Cajuste can adapt to Championship demands or if he'll seek alternative options better suited to the division's playstyle.

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