"It’s a matter of time" - Exclusive: Omari Hutchinson tip made as Brentford make Ipswich Town move | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Brentford's pursuit of Ipswich Town forward Omari Hutchinson

Lee Hendrie believes it’s just a matter of time before Omari Hutchinson exits Ipswich Town amid Brentford’s strong interest in the player.

It has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that the Bees have had a bid worth £35 million rejected by the Championship club.

It’s believed that the winger had a release clause of that value, but it has since expired, giving the Tractor Boys a much stronger negotiating position.

Hutchinson made the permanent switch to Portman Road last summer, and has a contract with Ipswich until the summer of 2029.

Lee Hendrie expects Omari Hutchinson Ipswich exit

Hendrie expects Hutchinson to depart Ipswich this summer, even with this £35 million offer being rejected.

He believes that the Bees will need to replace at least one of Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa, and that the England U21 forward fits the bill of what Keith Andrews will want.

“I just think it’s a matter of time before he’ll be leaving the football club,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“I do think that he’s got potential as well, and I think the fit there at Brentford, I’m sure Keith would’ve seen an awful lot of him and seen what he’s all about, the potential.

“By the looks of it, they’re going to lose Mbeumo or maybe Wissa, or maybe the two of them, but you’ve got to be looking at who can come in, fit the bill and add something similar to that dimension.

“And I just think it’s a matter of time before he will be out of the club.”

Hutchinson featured 31 times in the Premier League last season for the Suffolk outfit, contributing three goals and two assists as Kieran McKenna’s side finished 19th in the table.

Ipswich will start their Championship campaign on 8 August with a trip to face Birmingham City.

Ipswich now have a strong hand in Hutchinson talks

Ipswich were vulnerable to losing Hutchinson without having any real say in the matter while his release clause was active.

But Brentford have missed that boat, and will now have to go to the negotiating table if they’re to sign the 21-year-old.

Hutchinson showed some potential at Ipswich last that, indicating he could continue to compete in the Premier League.

But paying a fee greater than £35 million does represent a big risk, and they may not be as tempted to make his signing now that their first offer has been turned down, even if he may be a good tactical fit for Andrews’ plans for the London outfit.