What Azor Matusiwa said about Liverpool links as Ipswich Town transfer is confirmed | OneFootball

Azor Matusiwa has confirmed his move to Ipswich Town

Azor Matusiwa was linked with a move to Liverpool prior to completing his switch to Ipswich Town this summer.

The Dutchman has made the switch to Portman Road following their relegation from the Premier League.

He is the third arrival of the summer, with Cedric Kipre and David Button also joining Kieran McKenna’s side, and his move from Rennes has reportedly set Ipswich back by £7.8 million.

Ipswich are hoping to build a team capable of earning promotion straight back to the Premier League next season, having come 19th in the division last term.

But they could easily have been unable to sign Matusiwa, if links to Liverpool last year had led to a move to join Arne Slot’s side at Anfield.

Azor Matusiwa’s response to Liverpool links before Ipswich Town move

The former Rennes midfielder was asked about potentially joining Liverpool last December, and Matusiwa responded by saying it was an honour to be linked to such a big club.

But he reiterated that his focus was on the Ligue 1 side, and that he planned to keep playing the best he could to help their campaign.

"To be honest, I didn't know about any links to Liverpool and you are the first person who has told me this," said Matusiwa, via GiveMeSport.

"If it's true, of course, that is nice.

“It means that I am doing a good job at Rennes and that is how I have to continue for the rest of the season.

"I need to carry on helping the team and then maybe something great will come in the future, but I’m not looking at anything like that right now.

“Of course, it’s an honour if you get linked with a club like Liverpool."

Matusiwa fell down the pecking order at Rennes in the second half of the season, following the appointment of Habib Beye, which led to him making a total of 29 league appearances in Ligue 1, with the team coming 12th in the table, before agreeing to a move to Ipswich.

Azor Matusiwa’s top flight experience

Matusiwa came through the ranks of the Ajax academy system before making the switch to Groningen after a spell on loan with De Graafschap.

The 27-year-old was a regular player for the Eredivisie side for two seasons before making the move to French football in 2021.

He initially joined Stade de Reims, where he spent two-and-a-half years, making 75 league appearances in that time.

The Dutchman made the switch to Rennes during the 2024 January transfer window, helping the team come 10th in his first half-season with the club.

He cemented himself as a regular in the side in his first full year at Rennes, but the appointment of Beye in January led to a minor reduction in the importance of his role.

The midfielder has earned a reputation for being defensively solid, playing as a six in the French top flight.

McKenna will be hoping he makes a quick transition to English football, as he will likely be a key part of his first team plans for the upcoming campaign.