Ipswich Town: New detail emerges in Cédric Kipré transfer deal | OneFootball

As Ipswich Town secure Cedric Kipre on loan from Reims, a new detail has emerged about the terms of the deal agreed between the two clubs.

Ipswich Town have agreed to take defender Cédric Kipré on loan from Reims for the 2025-26 season, and a new detail about the agreement reached between the two clubs has emerged.

Ipswich are preparing for a return to the Championship following relegation from the Premier League, and have been connected with a number of players so far in the summer transfer window.

Picking up new players is important for a club transitioning from a 38-game League season to a 46-game one, and new arrivals are important if the squad is to be rotated properly for a longer league season.

It's possible that, with play-off matches, a club with Premier League ambitions could end up playing eleven League matches more than a Premier League club.

Ipswich Town have an option, not an obligation, to buy Cedric Kipre in 2026

The Ipswich Star have reported that there is one detail which may have been misreported in previous stories confirming the agreement reached between the Tractor Boys and Reims to take Kipré to Portman Road.

They report that Ipswich will have an option to buy the 28-year-old centre-back permanently next summer, rather than an obligation to buy for

It had previously been reported by L'Equipe in France that should Ipswich win promotiom back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Town would have to pay €4.5 million to Reims to permanently add the Ivorian to their squad on a full-time basis.

That, however, will seemingly not be the case, as the Suffolk outfit instead will have the option as to whether or not they want to commit to the ex-West Brom man on a more long-term basis.

Cedric Kipre is a sensible defensive option for Ipswich Town's return to the Championship

Cedric Kipre spent the 2024-25 season in France's Ligue Un playing for Reims, but the season ended in disappointment when they were relegated following a play-off defeat to Metz.

Kipre is a highly experienced defender in the Championship, having almost 180 appearances in the division for Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City. As such, he's a very sensible option to have in the Ipswich squad for the challenge ahead.

His name had been connected to the club for some time, but now it's been confirmed that he will be joining Ipswich on a season-long loan.

And having an option to buy is advantageous for Ipswich Town.

It is entirely possible that things could not work out for him and the club next season, and this could create a problem for Ipswich in 2026 if they were then required to buy the player that summer. Having the option to buy means that they can return him to his parent club if things don't work out, but can sign him up if they do.

It's the sort of canny transfer business that has characterised Ipswich in recent years. Having successfully fended off interest in manager Kieran McKenna from other clubs this year already, their summer rebuild seems to be progressing without unnecessary drama, which could be to their significant advantage once the new season begins.