Ipswich Town’s top 5 earners contracted to be relegated into the Championship | OneFootball

The Premier League salaries sticking around after the Tractor Boys relegation

Relegation always brings uncertainty, but for Ipswich Town, the wage bill may be one of the most lingering concerns.

Following what is set to be a brief spell in the Premier League, the club’s top earners are due to return to the Championship - some of them still under contract on top-flight salaries.

There is some solace for the Tractor Boys: four of the club’s five highest-paid players are either loanees or out of contract at the end of the season. But for others, the drop to the second tier may not come with a pay cut.

Here’s a look at the five highest earners who may be sticking around next season - via Capology estimates - and what they could mean for Ipswich’s budget and ambitions.

Arijanet Muric

Signed from Burnley for £15 million last summer, Muric came with Premier League pedigree and Manchester City tutelage, but his time in East Anglia has been turbulent.

A shaky start between the sticks saw him lose the No.1 shirt early, first to back-up Christian Walton, and eventually to West Brom's Alex Palmer, who arrived in January as a permanent upgrade.

Now demoted to the bench, Muric’s future is unclear - but his contract runs until 2028, and unless a buyer emerges, he’ll be back in the Championship with Ipswich next season on an estimated £35k/week wage.

Dara O’Shea

A steady presence in defence, O’Shea was Ipswich’s 11th signing of their initial promotion window.

The Republic of Ireland international joined from Burnley in a deal worth £12m plus £3m in add-ons, bringing experience and composure from his days at West Brom, where he made over 100 appearances.

With a long contract stretching to 2029 on estimates of £35,000/week, O’Shea looks set to form part of the rebuild - though he too commands a Premier League-level wage.

Ben Johnson

After 17 years at West Ham, Johnson joined Ipswich on a free transfer, looking for regular game time. While he endured a rough start at Portman Road, his performances improved as the season progressed.

Still, questions remain about whether he's a long-term solution or simply a costly squad player, earning an estimated weekly wage of £30,000.

Under contract until 2028, Johnson's salary is a burden the club may have to carry - unless a transfer or wage renegotiation is in the cards.

Sam Morsy

Ipswich’s captain and midfield heartbeat, Morsy is no stranger to the ups and downs of the EFL.

The Egypt international, who earns an estimated £30,000/week at Portman Road, was relegated to League One with Wigan in 2016/17 but helped guide them back up to the Championship the following year.

Since joining from Middlesbrough in 2021, he's become a key leader on and off the pitch.

At 33, Morsy’s best years may be behind him, but his experience will be crucial next season. His Championship pedigree is a silver lining in an otherwise stormy forecast.

George Hirst

Son of Sheffield Wednesday legend David, George Hirst has struggled with consistency and injuries this season.

When fit, he offers a physical, hard-working option up front and has proven he can do a job at Championship level.

At an estimated £27.5k per week, Hirst is a luxury in a lower division, but his potential may still justify the investment if he can stay healthy and hit form.