Ipswich Town have started putting together their Premier League squad in preparation for their return to the top tier.
Last season, the Tractor Boys finished second in the Championship to Leicester City, securing their second consecutive promotion from League One to the Premier League.
It will be the Suffolk club’s first Premier League appearance since 2002, when it was led by Matt Holland and Hermann Hreidarsson.
Kieran McKenna is now entrusted with preparing the squad he has brought up from the third tier for the top flight, and he has already made some additions.
Omari Hutchinson was on loan from Chelsea last season, but the Tractor Boys have subsequently surpassed their transfer record to bring him back to Portman Road, paying £22.5 million.
The winger was a major member of McKenna’s side that surged to promotion last season, and many of the players who helped them get there will most likely return.
However, Ipswich will also be introducing a number of fresh faces to their XI.
Starting in goal, Ipswich’s first-choice goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky left the club last summer after failing to agree to a new contract and is now a free agent.
Veteran goalkeeper David Martin has arrived as a player-coach, but Christian Walton, the club’s only other senior goalkeeper, is more likely to be in goal right now.
Walton’s last consistent minutes were in League One, and Ipswich have been connected with two goalkeepers this window, including Fenerbahce’s Dominik Livakovic.
Brighton’s Carl Rushworth, who played on loan at Swansea last season, has also been connected. The 23-year-old Seagulls player is unlikely to see Premier League action with Brighton, therefore a move to Ipswich would be the most sensible option.
Cameron Burgess and Luke Woolfenden were regular centre-backs last season.
But Ipswich have been connected with other central defenders, with sources claiming the Tractor Boys are keeping an eye on Liverpool’s Nat Phillips.
talkSPORT understands Ipswich are also interested in Hull’s Jacob Greaves, a left-sided centre-back.
Leif Davis has been a standout for Ipswich as a left-back, recording 21 assists and two goals last season.
Right-back Ben Johnson, who came on a free transfer from West Ham this season, will play on the other side of the defence.
Massimo Luongo and Sam Morsy are expected to remain in the starting lineup, with Conor Chaplin completing the midfield trio, having scored 13 league goals last season.
Hutchinson will most likely be joined in attack by two fresh faces from Ipswich’s front three.
The former Chelsea player will play on the right wing, while Hull’s Jaden Philogene, who scored the ‘goal of the century’ against Rotherham earlier this year, will play on the left side.
Everton is attempting to hijack this trade, but Ipswich is convinced it will happen, so stay tuned.
Up front is Delap – no, not that one.
Rory Delap’s son, 21-year-old Liam, has been on Manchester City’s books since 2020.
He spent last season at Hull, so would link up well with Philogene.
The England youth international has scored 12 goals in 68 Championship games while on loan with the Tigers, Preston, and Stoke.
A £20 million permanent deal might also boost Ipswich’s offensive ahead of a busy season.
