Jay Stansfield signs: How Ipswich Town's dream summer transfer window could look | OneFootball

Ipswich Town will soon start focusing on what they plan to do in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Tractor Boys are currently battling Southampton, Leicester City, and Leeds United for a place in next season’s Premier League.

Kieran McKenna’s side have eight games to get into the automatic places, or they will have to do it via the play-offs.

So, at this present time, the focus will 100% be on what is happening on the pitch, but the board and directors will be putting plans in place for what they can do in terms of incomings and outgoings, whether they are in the Championship or Premier League next season.

So, with that said, here at Football League World, we have looked at Ipswich’s dream summer transfer window, after arrivals and exits from the club...

Brandon Williams: In

The first player that would benefit Ipswich in signing is current loanee Brandon Williams.

The defender joined the Championship side on a season-long loan deal from Manchester United in the summer.

The 23-year-old has had his injury concerns this season, as he’s only played 15 times in the league for the club. However, his future doesn’t look like it’s going to be at Old Trafford, as Ipswich do have an option to buy the player at the end of the loan.

While it will have been disappointing that Williams hasn’t been available more often, he has still been important for Ipswich when he has played, and therefore, whether promotion is secured or not, he could be someone the club looks at and decides to keep, as he would be very useful to have in the squad.

Williams has shown he can be very good at this level, while he would also bring Premier League experience should the team be their next season. The concern would be his injury record, but if he can be managed, he would be a very good purchase for the club.

Omari Hutchinson: In

The next player who would be a dream signing for the club is again another loan player who is already at Portman Road, and that is Omari Hutchinson.

Ipswich signed the winger on loan in the summer, and it has turned out to be an excellent addition, as the 20-year-old has so far grabbed seven goals and six assists in 36 league games.

Hutchinson hasn’t been a regular starter for the Tractor Boys this season, as he’s been used more times than not as an impact player, but he has still been excellent for the club.

The winger has made a huge impact throughout the campaign, winning games single-handedly or being a key player in a win. So, there would be no doubt that Ipswich would be interested in either signing the player on a permanent basis or getting him in on loan once again.

Hutchinson has enormous talent, and he will likely want to continue playing football rather than return to his parent club, Chelsea, and sitting on the bench. So, even if promotion isn’t secured, signing Hutchinson could be a viable option for the club this summer.

Jay Stansfield: In

The final player who Ipswich may love to sign in the summer is Fulham striker Jay Stansfield.

Stansfield is currently coming to the end of his season-long loan deal with Birmingham City, where he has so far scored nine goals in 35 league games.

The forward has been a standout performer for the Blues this season, so he is likely going to be someone clubs look at in the summer, given that his chances of playing at Fulham are slim.

Ipswich were linked with a move for Stansfield in the summer, but nothing materialised, and he remained with Birmingham. But the Tractor Boys could look to revisit that interest, as they will likely add to their forward line in the summer, no matter what happens between now and May.

Christian Walton: Out

While Ipswich will be keen on adding players to their squad, Kieran McKenna may also be looking to get some players off the books, and the first name they could look to move on is Christian Walton.

The goalkeeper joined the Tractor Boys in January 2022 on a permanent basis, and it was expected that he would be their number one for years to come.

While that was the case last season, playing a pivotal role in the club being promoted from League One, injury at the start of this season meant he lost his place in the side and has failed to regain it.

Walton has been limited to just cup appearances, and with his contract expiring at the end of this season, Ipswich could take this chance to let him leave the club and bring in a new goalkeeper to freshen things up in that department.

Marcus Harness: Out

As well as Walton, Ipswich could possibly see Marcuss Harness as a player they no longer want and therefore look to sell this summer.

Harness has been at Portman Road since the summer of 2022, and last season he played an important role in their promotion. While he has played a big role this season as well, unfortunately for the player that has been mainly from the substitute bench.

The 28-year-old has his name on the scoresheet as well as grabbing assists, but with the competition for places, Harness doesn’t seem to be favoured as much this season.

So given his situation and the fact that his contract expires in 2025, Ipswich could look to move Harness on for a fee, with the summer being the last chance to do so unless a new deal is agreed.

Freddie Ladapo: Out

The final player who Ipswich could look to sell is striker Freddie Ladapo, as he will return to the club in the summer after a six-month loan at Charlton Athletic.

Ladapo joined the Addicks in January and has so far struggled for goals with the League One side. Given the options in the forward line for Ipswich, they will likely look to permanently move him on this summer.

The 31-year-old’s contract at Portman Road expires in 2025, so Ipswich could sell the player for a fee, albeit not a very big one, as Ladapo has struggled for goals this season.

But Ladapo doesn’t seem to fit into McKenna’s plans, and it seems to make sense for the club and the player that they part ways this summer.