Exclusive: Ipswich Town star urged to avoid £35m Portman Road exit | OneFootball

Ipswich Town are currently going through a process of realigning their squad for the Championship challenge ahead

It’s another busy summer ahead for Ipswich Town as they once again prepare for a different division in the off-season.

This time, for the first time in a couple of years, they’ll be starting the new season in a league lower rather than a division higher, which will bring with it a greater focus on outgoings than incomings.

One Tractor Boys player whose future currently hangs in the balance is Omari Hutchinson, with a reported £35m relegation release clause written into his contract, according to Football Insider.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman provided us with his thoughts on whether the creator will generate much interest this season.

Release clause may be pitched a little high for some clubs

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “It was always going to be tough for Ipswich Town in the Premier League this season.

“And with that being the case, it was always going to be tough for most or all of their players and Omari Hutchinson, three goals and two assists, obviously found it hard to have the creative influence as you'd expect, that he had in the Championship.

“So, I'm not sure at £35million how many clubs would be looking at that and thinking that that's a risk worth taking.

“He’s still only 21, but for me, having another stellar season in the Championship would serve him and Ipswich Town well.

“As I said, I'm not sure there'd be too many out there based on this Premier League season that would outlay £35m, if that is indeed the release clause.”

Tough choice ahead for Hutchinson and Ipswich

Given Hutchinson’s experience at just 21 years old, while £35m is a lot of money, teams would be willing to fork out a significant sum to bring him in on account of his potential for development and improvement.

It’s possible that Ipswich’s season in the Premier League came one or two campaigns early for the attacking midfielder, with it being only his second full season in senior football, after breaking onto the scene at Portman Road on loan from Chelsea the season before.

Therefore, there’s certainly a case to be made for Hutchinson following Goodman’s advice and getting another Championship season under his belt.

However, Hutchinson, just behind Liam Delap, is undoubtedly the Tractor Boys’ most marketable asset.

If they feel they need to bring in funds to cope with the demotion, they are the two players they’re most likely to turn to and, if they can’t drum up any interest at £35m, may even accept lower.

Should that attract any Premier League clubs, as a 21-year-old, it would surely be difficult for Hutchinson to turn down the proposition of returning to the top tier rather than dropping back into the Championship.

But his minutes won’t be guaranteed, so may find things even more difficult than he has this season.