‘New Additions Will Be Essential’: Ipswich Town To Finalise Talks With Two Rivals Players

TBR Football reports that Sunderland talents Dan Ballard and Pierre Ekwah are also on Ipswich Town’s transfer shortlist.

Sunderland will return to the Championship following a dismal season, but Ipswich Town has risen to the Premier League thanks to a fantastic season.

The Tractor Boys’ back-to-back promotions will be remembered as one of the Football League’s most stunning feats, but after the festivities have died down, the complete attention will shift to preparing for a significant step up.

New additions will be essential at Portman Road, and numerous links have already arisen with potential targets.

Two new names have appeared on the Ipswich Town transfer radar.

According to TBR Football, Town have targeted Sunderland’s Dan Ballard and Pierre Ekwah. The Black Cats may see several of their standout players leave this summer, including former Arsenal and West Ham players.

Ipswich intend to leverage their Championship understanding to attract players who they believe can make the jump up from the second division to the Premier League, namely Ballard and Ekawh.

Sales at Sunderland?

Sunderland remains an ambitious club, with expectations of returning to the play-off picture next season. In their efforts to do so, they will want to retain the services of their star talents.

Ballard and Ekwah are among them, and they have grown enormously during their stay on Wearside. As a result, even if you want to keep them, they may leave.

Ballard, 24, is a Northern Ireland regular who has made 66 appearances for the Black Cats since coming from Arsenal. He’s one of few players at the Stadium of Light who many believe are capable of moving up to top-flight football.

Ekwah has become increasingly important since his arrival in January 2023. And, at the age of 22, he is still in the prime of his profession.

Hence Ipswich Town interes

As current Championship players with the skill and opportunity to prove themselves at a higher level, it’s no surprise that clubs like Ipswich Town are interested.

McKenna will undoubtedly put a lot of faith in the core that led the club to the Premier League, but new acquisitions are required, and Ballard and Ekwah might be good additions.

They’re unlikely to be the only ones interested in the Sunderland players, but they’re good possibilities for Ipswich as they prepare for the transfer window.