Kieran McKenna sends clear message to Ipswich Town chiefs over Chelsea, Omari Hutchinson deal | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys' loan of Hutchinson from Chelsea proved to be a stroke of genius after he helped to fire Ipswich to promotion to the Premier League, and McKenna has let it be known that he would like him back in a Town shirt next season as a present for his upcoming 38th birthday.

During the club's End of Season Dinner on May 6, McKenna was asked, "what would you like Mark Ashton to buy you for your birthday?" to which the Town boss playfully responded "Omari!" as he was greeted with cheers from the crowd.

Hutchinson did not make an instant impact upon his arrival in East Anglia, struggling to dislodge the likes of Conor Chaplin, Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead from the starting 11 as he had to remain patient.

The Jamaican international eventually became a key player for McKenna, and played the full 90 minutes in all of the last nine games of the season as the Tractor Boys were promoted to the top-flight for the first time since 2002 - even being named as the club's Young Player of the Year for his exploits.

The Northern Irishman's comments at the dinner may have been tongue-in-cheek, but he would no doubt love him to return to Portman Road next season, whether that be on a permanent or loan deal.

Omari Hutchinson was a vital part of Ipswich Town's promotion push

The Chelsea loanee did not start his first league game for the club until seven games into the 2023-24 Championship campaign as he netted the winner away at Southampton for his first goal in professional football.

He started six of the club's next 22 Championship matches, scoring one goal and providing two assists as he was left to largely make an impact from the bench.

Hutchinson soon began to find form, after a late equaliser away at West Brom kick-started a run of two goals and two assists in his next four games, including another injury-time goal to beat lowly Rotherham United.

His crowing moment in a Town shirt came away at Hull City on April 27, as he scored two brilliant long-range goals to secure a 3-3 draw that helped McKenna's side edge closer to promotion.

He netted his - and Ipswich's - final goal of a historic season as they clinched promotion with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on the final day, capping off a successful loan spell and a real breakthrough season for the 20-year-old.

Shortly after the final whistle sounded at Portman Road, Hutchinson was asked by Sky Sports if he wanted to return to Ipswich on loan for 2024-25, and his "I hope so" response offered lots of hope for supporters in Suffolk.

With Ipswich back in the top-flight after so long, McKenna will want to keep the base of his squad from this season whilst adding some quality that can help them challenge against the very best next season.

Hutchinson will be one of those that he wants to keep at the club, but whether that is a possibility is set to come to light in the coming weeks and months.

Omari Hutchinson is set to be a wanted man from clubs other than Ipswich Town

After such an impressive loan spell, it is inevitable that teams in England and around Europe will have been alerted to Hutchinson's talents and possible availability this summer.

Hutchinson is only contracted at Chelsea until 2025, and the club have reportedly called him into their Cobham training complex for talks over his future in the coming days, according to the Express.

TEAMtalk has reported that the Blues are set to offer Hutchinson a new contract, which would mean only a loan move is likely if he is to play his football elsewhere again next season.

Other clubs, including some from the Premier League, have already contacted Chelsea to express an interest, according to The Athletic - so he is clearly a wanted man.

Despite that interest, Hutchinson is seemingly keen on a return to Ipswich and has a manager ready to welcome him back with open arms, and they certainly hold a sentimental value over any other club that would want his signature.