Ipswich Town are looking to sign Hull City’s Jacob Greaves this summer.
According to The Telegraph, the Tractor Boys are targeting the centre-back ahead of their return to the Premier League.
That comes after Kieran McKenna committed his future to the Suffolk club following their promotion to the Premier League, despite reports linking him with Chelsea or Brighton.
Jacob Greaves’ importance to Hull City
Greaves has been a standout for the Tigers in previous seasons, notably in the last year as the squad competed for a Championship play-off spot.
Hull’s inability to advance has created concerns about his future at the MKM Stadium, with Ipswich facing competition from West Ham and Everton.
Greaves received a lot of praise for his performances last season, as he helped the team finish seventh in the table and appeared 43 times in the league.
Jacob Greaves is worth potential £20 million fee
Our FLW writers share their thoughts on whether a move to Ipswich is a good next step for Greaves or if the Tractor Boys should investigate other possibilities.
Declan Harte
This is the type of sensible signing that Ipswich should make to strengthen their team for life in the Premier League.
While a deal in the £20 million range may be required, McKenna’s side could benefit from this in the long run if they can afford it.
Ipswich must be careful with their money this summer, as they cannot simply squander it all in the hopes of remaining up, as that is too hazardous.
Other areas of the team should be addressed over centre-back, but if there is room for Greaves, it makes sense.
He is a left-sided centre-back who is comfortable on the ball, making him an ideal addition to the Ipswich backline.
Greaves’ passing numbers last season were exceptional for a defender, with 3.74 progressive passes per 90 and an overall pass completion percentage of 88.2%, giving him a valuable resource in build-up.
Defensively, he is also rock solid, recording 1.77 tackles, 4.60 clearances, and 1.02 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Championship last year.
He’s even demonstrated a modest attacking danger from defense, making him a formidable package.
Greaves is prepared to go up to the Premier League and, at 23, still has potential for growth.
This is a guy who might become even more valuable in the long run if he can establish himself in the top tier with Ipswich, making the £20 million Hull could receive this summer appear insignificant in a few years.
Alfie Burns
We frequently see promoted sides attempting to pick up the cream of the Championship, and this is no exception.
Ipswich need to improve throughout their team following their fast promotion from League One to the Premier League with basically the same players, although it could be said that their defence requires the greatest work.
If McKenna is looking for centre-back upgrades in the Championship, Greaves is one of the best choices available.
He’s a commanding presence, a solid defender (as seen by his above-average stats), and an excellent ball player. Another distinguishing feature is that he is a left-sided centre-back, which is difficult to find on the market.
Ipswich will not want to overpay, but they must offer Hull a fair price for Greaves. Finally, if the Championship is where the Tractor Boys shop, some reasonable fees will have to be paid.
One mid-term advantage of Greaves’ arrival is that if Ipswich drop back down, they know he’s capable of performing at Championship level.
There isn’t much wrong with this bargain. The player is ready, and Ipswich is an up-and-coming club where you’d want to play under McKenna. It would not be surprising to see it happen.
