Ipswich Town striker on Oxford United radar as loan deal eyed up | OneFootball

Oxford United are reportedly interested in loaning an Ipswich Town player this summer

Oxford United are eyeing a loan move for Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi this summer.

According to Indonesian publication Bolasport, the forward is not part of Kieran McKenna’s first-team plans for next season in the Premier League, opening the door for a potential exit from Portman Road.

Al-Hamadi joined the Tractor Boys during the January transfer window earlier this year after a promising run of form in League Two with AFC Wimbledon.

The Iraq international scored four goals in 14 appearances for the Suffolk outfit as they earned promotion to the Premier League (all stats from Fbref).

Prior to his move to Ipswich, he contributed 13 goals and six assists in the fourth tier from 23 appearances for the Dons, which led to his move up the pyramid.

Oxford United eye Ali Al-Hamadi deal

Oxford United are preparing for life back in the Championship after gaining promotion to the second tier through the play-offs.

Des Buckingham will be looking to make improvements to his squad for the campaign ahead, with the club back in the second tier for the first time since 1999.

Al-Hamadi could be available on loan, with Ipswich looking to move him out of McKenna’s squad temporarily after just six months.

McKenna guided the club to promotion for the second consecutive year earlier on in 2024, and will now be looking to ensure he has a team capable of competing in the top flight.

That could mean departures need to be made in order to make way for new signings this summer.

Al-Hamadi is seemingly not part of Ipswich’s first team plans, meaning a loan move may suit all parties for the time being.

The forward has a contract with the Tractor Boys until the summer of 2028, but struggled for consistent game time after his January move, with Kieffer Moore preferred following his own move from Bournemouth.

Whilst Al-Hamadi made 14 appearances in the Championship, 13 of those came from the bench for a total of 293 minutes of play.

Oxford United’s summer plans

Oxford United have already confirmed the signing of Will Vaulks from Sheffield Wednesday this summer, with the 30-year-old arriving as a free agent.

The U’s have also been linked with a move for Brighton midfielder Marc Leonard, but face stiff competition in the race to his signature.

Birmingham City and Wrexham are also reportedly in the race to sign the 22-year-old, who is expected to cost around £300,000.

Meanwhile, Oxford will also be hoping to hold onto Josh Murphy, who has attracted transfer interest from a number of clubs, including fellow newly-promoted sides Portsmouth and Derby County.

Ali Al-Hamadi signing could be smart for Oxford United

Al-Hamadi couldn’t quite get consistent game time for McKenna’s side after he signed in January, but he faced stiff competition in a strong squad.

Making the switch back to the Championship could be the next step he needs to take in his career, as he is more than good enough to compete as a starter at this level.

He was still able to make a positive impact for Ipswich in their race for promotion, scoring four goals from limited minutes.

Al-Hamadi proved at Wimbledon he was ready to step up a level, and his performances for Ipswich show that he wouldn’t be out of place as a regular starter for a Championship side, so this could be a promising move for Buckingham’s team if they can get it over the line.