Sky Sports: Ipswich Town ‘in Talks’ to Sign Napoli Midfielder | OneFootball

Ipswich Town in Talks to Re-Sign Jens Cajuste from Napoli

Ipswich Town have opened talks with Serie A side Napoli regarding the potential return of midfielder Jens Cajuste, according to a report from Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth. The deal, currently under negotiation, is said to centre around a loan move that would include an obligation to buy should Ipswich secure promotion to the Premier League in the 2025-26 campaign.

The midfielder enjoyed a productive loan spell at Portman Road last season, quickly becoming a dependable figure in the middle of the park. His return has been met with optimism from both the club and the player’s camp, with all parties reportedly “willing” to finalise an agreement. As Sheth notes, “there is a willingness from all parties to get a deal done”.

Why Cajuste Fits McKenna’s System

Cajuste’s influence last term was quietly significant. The Swedish international brought composure, strength and an ability to progress play through the thirds, fitting seamlessly into Kieran McKenna’s structured and disciplined tactical setup. At just 26, his ceiling remains high, and with Napoli open to further business, Ipswich are seizing an opportunity to strengthen with a known quantity.

Photo: IMAGO

Crucially, McKenna values continuity and positional intelligence, traits Cajuste offers in abundance. Reintegrating him into the squad would eliminate the bedding-in period typically needed for new signings and could provide a key building block for the Championship campaign.

Loan-to-buy Clause Tied to Promotion

Sky Sports’ insight that “the obligation to buy would kick in if Ipswich earn promotion back to the Premier League” reveals a smart piece of business by Town’s hierarchy. Structuring the deal in such a way protects the club financially in case promotion is not achieved, while still enabling McKenna to build a squad capable of challenging from day one.

This type of conditional obligation aligns with a growing trend in the Championship, where financial prudence is balanced with ambition. Ipswich’s recruitment model has shown greater maturity since Mark Ashton took charge of football operations and this move, should it materialise, would further endorse that shift in strategy.

Cajuste’s Desire to Return is Crucial

What may tip the balance is the player’s willingness. Having already settled at the club and forged strong relationships within the dressing room, Cajuste’s desire to return could be pivotal. His presence last season helped Ipswich compete with consistency, and the familiarity between player and manager could prove invaluable in a fiercely competitive Championship race.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This news is exactly what we were hoping for after relegation. Jens Cajuste gave us bite and control in midfield that we badly missed when he wasn’t on the pitch. If we can get him back, even on a loan with promotion-triggered obligation, it shows we’re not just planning for the Championship, we’re planning for success in it.

What makes this deal particularly appealing is that Cajuste already knows what Kieran McKenna wants from his midfielders. There’ll be no guessing games, no time wasted on adaptation. It also sends a strong message to the rest of the league: we’re serious about going straight back up. Ipswich fans want stability and ambition, and this ticks both boxes.

Also, this signals smart work behind the scenes. Ashton and McKenna clearly understand the squad’s needs and are moving early to address them. Cajuste might not be the flashiest signing, but he’s the kind of player who helps you win promotion. If we can pair him with a dynamic playmaker and another solid centre-half, we’ve got every reason to believe this could be a very strong year.

Here’s hoping talks progress quickly and that we see Cajuste in blue and white again come August.