Ipswich may sign “monster” Premier League attacker to improve on Jackson – Opinion

With this Ipswich Town purchase, Kieran McKenna may be able to shed Kayden Jackson for good.

With all of the promotion celebrations coming to an end after an incredible Championship final day triumph over Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town will realise that the deadwood in the Tractor Boys camp needs to be moved on quickly.

Kieran McKenna and co. will not entirely gut the group that propelled them to the promised land of the Premier League, but will make small tweaks here and there to enhance the gallant side assembled by the former Manchester United coach.

Kayden Jackson will be concerned about his future in Suffolk if reports are right, as the long-serving servant might be pushed even further down the pecking order at Portman Road if a deal for one top attacker is agreed.

Ipswich eyeing up Jackson replacement

Arsenal centre-forward Eddie Nketiah, once described by Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid as a “monster” in attack in the Premier League, appears to be at the top of McKenna’s shopping list for Ipswich’s promotion to the top flight.

The ambitious Tractor Boys, according to TEAMtalk, are very keen in luring the reserve Gunners figure to Suffolk after seeing his minutes curtailed at the Emirates Stadium recently.

Nketiah, who has not appeared off the bench for Mikel Arteta’s title contenders in their previous four league games, could seize the opportunity to move away from North London in the summer to become a key player for the newly promoted team.

Crystal Palace, owned by Oliver Glasner, are also said to be interested in the 24-year-old attacker, so McKenna and his team will have to pull off a coup to get this deal completed before of the entertaining Eagles.

Why Nketiah must replace Jackson

Ipswich are aware that they will want additional firepower up front to supplement the likes of Nathan Broadhead, George Hirst, and Conor Chaplin as they acclimate to the demands of the Premier League, with this probable deal putting the final nail in the coffin of Jackson’s up-and-down spell in Suffolk.

The former Accrington Stanley attacker is probably aware that he is facing an exit, having underperformed throughout his five seasons with Ipswich.

Jackson joined the club during the dismal Paul Hurst era in 2018, with the forgotten manager winning only one of 15 games in charge. Since then, he has only scored 28 goals in 199 games as a wasteful striker.

With 11 goals in his best season, it seems like a no-brainer to break connections with Jackson now that the club has been promoted in order to dramatically reinforce with Nketiah, who has 116 Premier League games under his belt, signing on the dotted line.

Boasting a greater overall goal return with the Gunners, having scored 38 times in 168 games despite being surrounded by higher-quality talent, the on-the-fringe Arsenal man also boasts a higher goal tally this season, with six to Jackson’s three.

Looking at a comparison of their offensive statistics above, given by FBRef, it appears to be a good option to attempt to upgrade on Jackson in the form of Nketiah, with the Arsenal player outperforming the 30-year-old in crucial attacking facets of their respective games.

With Ipswich surrounded by McKenna’s wealth of attacking stars, the 24-year-old might become a prolific striker in the top division, whereas Jackson will be looking for a transfer somewhere in the EFL after just tasting promotion success.