Ipswich Town urged to snub Luke Woolfenden bids amid Coventry & Stoke City interest for "two reasons" | OneFootball

Ipswich Town have been urged to keep centre-back Luke Woolfenden this summer, amid reported interest from Coventry City.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Ipswich Town are one of the favourites for the title in the Championship, and the Tractor Boys have embarked upon a busy summer transfer window to try and further flex their muscles over the rest of the division, following their relegation from the Premier League last season.

Kieran McKenna’s side have started the campaign with a couple of 1-1 draws in the league, away at Birmingham City and at home to Southampton, sandwiching a surprise penalty shootout defeat away to Bromley in the first round of the EFL Cup.

Ipswich have remained and will remain active in the window with not long left of it, and there are reports that second-tier rivals Coventry City are interested in signing centre-back Luke Woolfenden, whilst Stoke City are also keen.

Ipswich Town urged not to let Luke Woolfenden leave amid Coventry City & Stoke interest

Ipswich-born Woolfenden joined the Town academy at the age of ten, and he went on to make his professional debut for the club during the 2017/18 season.

The 26-year-old defender, who had loan spells with Bromley and then Swindon Town, has made over 200 appearances for the Suffolk-based outfit, and was a key part in their rise from League One to the Premier League.

He has found himself down the pecking order, though, with Jacob Greaves and Dara O’Shea forming a strong partnership at the heart of the Ipswich defence, and Coventry are said to be interested in his services.

However, FLW Fan Pundit Adam Wilkin has urged the club not to allow Woolfenden to leave permanently, or even on loan.

Adam told FLW: “I wouldn’t be letting Luke Woolfenden be going anywhere, unless it was for a ridiculous bid to come in from any club, and I particularly wouldn’t be letting him go to a Championship rival.

“I think he has been very unfortunate with the quality of centre-backs that we have brought in, but I would be keeping him for two reasons.

“Number one, he would be the best back-up centre-half in the league, and I think he would probably be third choice at the moment, ahead of (Cedric) Kipre for me.

“I think, also, were we ever to switch to a back three, which is potentially less likely this season but if we were to get promoted it could be a possibility next season, he is the best defender at the club to play in the middle of that back three.

“Understandably, he may be getting upset about a lack of playing time so a loan move could be on the cards.

“I think Coventry have tried to buy him outright, and I wouldn’t be sanctioning any of that, but probably also wouldn’t be sanctioning a loan move, because we still do need four players in that unit.

“Particularly with Dara O’Shea potentially being a right-back cover at certain points in time, given our lack of fit left-backs at any one time, so Ben Johnson or Ashley Young may have to cover left-back, which means Dara covers at right-back, which then leaves you short at centre-half.

“So, no, Woolfenden is one of my favourite defenders and I don’t think we should be entertaining any permanent bids.”

Ipswich Town will not be desperate to sell Luke Woolfenden - they don't need the cash

Ipswich probably don’t need to sell at all this summer now, having banked the riches of the Premier League last season and been able to make a few major money sales this time around.

Liam Delap joined Chelsea earlier this summer, whilst Omari Hutchinson has moved to Nottingham Forest for around £37.5 million. Nathan Broadhead also left in a big-money deal to Wrexham, giving Town plenty of funds to play with for the rest of the summer window.

In terms of incomings, Cedric Kipre, Jens Cajuste and Chuba Akpom have all arrived on loan deals from Stade de Reims, Napoli and Ajax respectively, whilst David Button and Ashley Young have been brought in on free transfers. Azor Matusiwa was also purchased from Stade Rennais earlier this summer, so there should still be money for McKenna to spend.

There's no real need for Ipswich to sell Woolfenden if they still see him as part of their plans - he is a cult hero at Ipswich and still has a lot to offer to the squad, and it would seemingly be a surprise to see him depart Portman Road before the close of the transfer window.