Ipswich and Norwich receive transfer boost as Middlesbrough priority becomes clear | OneFootball

Ipswich Town and Norwich City have received a boost in their reported pursuit of striker Jamal Lowe as transfer rivals Middlesbrough do not have him as one of their targets for the summer.

The Northern Echo has reported that Boro are not looking to sign the AFC Bournemouth forward, who has spent this season on loan at Swansea City, and manager Michael Carrick has said that he is focusing on continuity within his squad, instead of a massive overhaul.

"Of course we’d like to get business done early, but there is a balance to that," said the former Manchester United midfielder.

"We look at how much needs doing, the consistency and continuity is just as important in terms of the squad and the boys knowing each other and having that connection because that does take time.

"But, of course, we want to improve the squad and the sooner we can do that the better."

Championship interest in Jamal Lowe

Three of the teams that were reported to hold an interest in the Jamaican were Ipswich, Norwich and Middlesbrough, as per Graeme Bailey of TBR Football. The journalist added that Watford and Millwall were also on the list of keen clubs, as well as newly promoted Portsmouth and Derby County.

Lowe's current manager, Luke Williams, has admitted that it would be hard for th Swans to get the forward to come to the club permanently because of his wage demands.

He said, via the Bournemouth Echo: "I think it’s going to be difficult because Jamal is on a Premier League salary. That could be a real issue.

"Jamal’s contract in his first spell here was probably when the club were still working almost on a Premier League budget. Then he went on [to the Cherries] still on a Premier League level deal.

"But this club is no longer operating at that level. I think we have to be clear about what it’s going to look like if we are going to do anything at all."

Now, the chances of the Canaries and the Tractor Boys getting their hands on the Bournemouth forward have been increased by Boro's reported lack of interest in the 30-year-old.

Norwich would be a better fit for Jamal Lowe than Ipswich

This isn't anything to do with the style of the club, the way they are run, the manager's in charge.

This is purely because Norwich, unless they win the play-offs, are going to be in the second tier next season, where Lowe has thrived, and Ipswich, if they handle their business this weekend, will be in the Premier League, where he hasn't thrived.

The reason why the Jamaican is out on loan at the moment, from a top flight team, is because they don't think that he will massively contribute to them, whereas he has had a solid season in the second tier, and has had many of them in the past.

Ipswich need to be aiming higher if they make it to the Premier League. They have, arguably, the most exciting young coach in the country right now, wealthy owners, and would be coming off the back of back-to-back promotions.

Town have to go for Premier League level players in that scenario, and Lowe hasn't shown himself to be that.

What he is is a consistent Championship forward, and that's something that any team at that level could do with; especially Norwich, with the injury records of their forwards.