Summer 2025 Transfer Thread / Rumours

[Bluemike]

Ipswich Town midfielder Jens-Lys Cajuste is reportedly set to depart at the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign.
The 25-year-old was an unused substitute for the Tractor Boys on Saturday afternoon, when they suffered a 3-0 loss at Champions League-chasing Newcastle United.

The defeat in the North-East confirmed an immediate return to the Championship for Ipswich, who have competed in the top flight for the first time in 24 years this term.

Currently on loan from Napoli in Italy, Cajuste has featured across 26 Premier League fixtures for Kieran McKenna's men, scoring during the defeat to Nottingham Forest in March.

With four games remaining of an arduous campaign, Ipswich are sitting in 18th position in the top-flight table, 15 points behind 17th-placed West Ham United.

According to Italian outlet Arena Napoli, Ipswich are preparing to wave goodbye to a first-team star during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that midfielder Cajuste will return to parent club Napoli following the Tractor Boys' immediate relegation to the Championship.

It is understood that Ipswich had an obligation to purchase the Swede if they were able to avoid a bottom-three finish in the Premier League.

As the East Anglians have been unable to do so, they will not need to fork out a supposed €12m (£10.2m) for the 25-time international this summer.

Cajuste will return to Naples, where Napoli's hierarchy are keen to offload the midfielder permanently before the beginning of next campaign.


With his Portman Road career all-but over, Cajuste is expected to play a bit-part role during Ipswich's final quartet of Premier League matches.

The Tractor Boys have a number of winnable games ahead as they look to end the term on a high, including clashes with Leicester City and West Ham.

There is also a last-ever trip to Everton's Goodison Park on the agenda, as well as the hosting of Thomas Frank's Brentford in East Anglia.

[shabba]

IMO we need 3 players this summer

1x Striker (assuming Hirst stays), to replace Delap

2x CM - I think we should aim to Have Morsy/Humpreys/Taylor and 2 others, ideally sign 2 high quality ones, that are athletic and mobile. Even if 1 was proven and 1 was more of a future prospect.

I could be wrong but I can't really see who might be a target for a prem club from this squad beyond Delap, has anyone really done enough to warranty a club to pay a decent fee for them - i.e enough for a profit.

[Bluemike]

Hutchinson & Davis will be away in my opinion.

[hallamblue]

Think there'll ll be a few twists n turns over the summer for sure.

We need a completely new midfield IMHO. And if i was Ashton id do all i could to try and get Cajuste and build the MF sround him.

The defence needs a bit of a re- vamp, because we still conceded far too many soft goals, and the GK's need a shuffle with hopefully Muruc departing.



Overall we must get some real pace and physicality in the squad. We're far too lightweight in so many positions.

Next season will not be a walk in the park thst done Town fans think it'll be. We will be under pressure EVERY game with the expectation that we should win it. We need players who can deal with this pressure and equally the physicality that will be directed towards our numerous lightweight players.

Players I'd not be too concerned if we lose are:

Philogene
Davis
Muric
Delap
Taylor ( MF)
Woolfenden


Players i really love us to try and keep are

Hirst,
Cajuste
Omari
Palmer

[shabba]

Hutchinson & Davis will be away in my opinion.

I can't see anyone wanting Davis, he has had a very poor season. Omari - surely we'd need 30m+ for him, can't see anyone paying that, he has been OK but not had any sort of impact like Delap has.

[shabba]

Think there'll ll be a few twists n turns over the summer for sure.

We need a completely new midfield IMHO. And if i was Ashton id do all i could to try and get Cajuste and build the MF sround him.

The defence needs a bit of a re- vamp, because we still conceded far too many soft goals, and the GK's need a shuffle with hopefully Muruc departing.



Overall we must get some real pace and physicality in the squad. We're far too lightweight in so many positions.

Next season will not be a walk in the park thst done Town fans think it'll be. We will be under pressure EVERY game with the expectation that we should win it. We need players who can deal with this pressure and equally the physicality that will be directed towards our numerous lightweight players.

Players I'd not be too concerned if we lose are:

Philogene
Davis
Muric
Delap
Taylor ( MF)
Woolfenden


Players i really love us to try and keep are

Hirst,
Cajuste
Omari
Palmer

Agree re new midfield needed. Humpreys deserves a chance though, not perhaps as a start of course.

Nobody is going to pay for Philogene, Davis has been suspect, Muric I can't see anyone touching unless its a loan with us paying a huge chunk of his wages.

Cajuste will move on, he is lower prem standard and a good buy for someone at probably 10m or so. However his injury is a worry, he never makes 90mins due to it etc.

[ITFC2024]

Have to assume, KM (if still here) won't change tactics. We've all witnessed the lack of success we've had playing the 4-2-3-1 with the players we have, so recruitment should focus on shoring up the midfield and finding wingbacks who can attack and defend well. Also, we certainly need some physicality in the squad as we're too light weight.

I still think a few PL clubs may be interested in Davis even though he's struggled. West Ham and a few others would probably take a punt on him if the price were right. Obviously, we'll need another striker if Delap goes, and once again it will need to be someone comfortable playing solo as the #9 in KM's system.

Many players who remain will need to improve and start putting in consistent performances. Omari, Philogene, J. Clarke, J. Taylor, Johnson...even Greaves, all need to improve. I'm assuming Burgess will depart, but I really hope O'Shea stays. I think Woolfy will remain; he's fine as a backup.

So, for me we'll need a striker, two athletic wing backs, physicality in the midfield and another CB if Burgess leaves.

[Bluemike]

What we have to remember is this is Football, littered with idiots which is why someone would no doubt come in for Davis despite a poor season, this is an industry that loves to waste money, let's not forget some moron even spent 10 Million on Muric.

[ITFC2024]

Maybe we can re-sign one of Bluemike’s favourites?

https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-new ... -of-career

[Bluemike]

God help us

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Cajuste has been one of our better players this season - better than many (Hutchinson, Davis, Philogene, Greaves, Taylor, Johnson, Clarke) who are likely to stay. If we're not prepared to spend £12m to keep him, bearing in mind parachute payments, then that to me shows a distinct lack of ambition.

[shabba]

Cajuste has been one of our better players this season - better than many (Hutchinson, Davis, Philogene, Greaves, Taylor, Johnson, Clarke) who are likely to stay. If we're not prepared to spend £12m to keep him, bearing in mind parachute payments, then that to me shows a distinct lack of ambition.

I think it’s more a case of him not wanting to join, he’ll want to play in a top flight league.

[Dubai Blue]

Really interesting this convo. I think KM will be getting a feeling for who will deal with the drop psychologically because we will need to be out of the traps quickly next season.

Players like Hutchinson, Philogene, Davis, O'Shea, Tuanzebe have a possible opportunity IMO to get a move to one of the promoted teams, especially the last two I think. I would keep them all given the chance if their heads are in the right place. Obviously IF Delap goes (and it seems nailed on) then we need a replacement but other than that I think if we keep all of the above and the rest of the squad that we own we are ok at front and back.

Midfield is where we need to look closely and build IMO. I think we had the chance to take a good look at teams like Fulham, Brentford & Newcastle and surely we need to find players that will develop into players that would fit in well there. We just didn't seem to have the pace and strength this season to live with these types of player. Has Morsy got another Champ season in him? I suspect yes but Luongo probably not.

I'm unsure about Cajuste. He has looked good but is he strong enough to compete in the Prem in 26/27 if we go back up?

Is Palmer on loan or Perm from WBA? I thought the latter Hallam. If so then Palmer/Walton should be ok between the sticks.

[Bluemike]

We signed Palmer.

I agree about Cajuste, yes he's decent but I'm not raving about him tbh, has good games and sometimes poor ones, he has a,tendency to give the ball away quite often and seldom plays a forward defence splitting pass, if he stays then good but if he departs I'm personally not overly bothered.

[hallamblue]

Really interesting this convo. I think KM will be getting a feeling for who will deal with the drop psychologically because we will need to be out of the traps quickly next season.

Players like Hutchinson, Philogene, Davis, O'Shea, Tuanzebe have a possible opportunity IMO to get a move to one of the promoted teams, especially the last two I think. I would keep them all given the chance if their heads are in the right place. Obviously IF Delap goes (and it seems nailed on) then we need a replacement but other than that I think if we keep all of the above and the rest of the squad that we own we are ok at front and back.

Midfield is where we need to look closely and build IMO. I think we had the chance to take a good look at teams like Fulham, Brentford & Newcastle and surely we need to find players that will develop into players that would fit in well there. We just didn't seem to have the pace and strength this season to live with these types of player. Has Morsy got another Champ season in him? I suspect yes but Luongo probably not.

I'm unsure about Cajuste. He has looked good but is he strong enough to compete in the Prem in 26/27 if we go back up?

Is Palmer on loan or Perm from WBA? I thought the latter Hallam. If so then Palmer/Walton should be ok between the sticks.

We've signed Palmer on a permanent deal as far as I'm aware DB.

Midfield is where we need to focus. Morsy likely to go off to Dubai? For last big pay deal. I dont blame him. Luongo will leave most definitely. We need a strong combative midfielder and a complimenting maestro on the ball. Hope to god Downes isn't one being considered. But McKenna only ever plays a 2 man MF, so with Humphries returning maybe just two combative MFs as Taylor may stay. But I wouldn't worry if he didn't.

[Shed on tour]

The problem for me with Cajuste is if we were in a position to keep him would it be advisable due to his injury problems. Even when he has been in the team he has been unable to last 90 minutes. Also, although he has looked class at times how many goals or assists has he provided?

[Dubai Blue]

Morsy off to Dubai Hallam? Presumably you mean Saudi, although I imagine most of the better paid players probably commute from Dubai, Ronaldo style.

Where did you read that?

[Bluemike]

Hallam and I were led to believe Morsy has an offer from Saudi on the table, the guy the other side of me reckons he's been told by someone in the know, probably all wind and pish

[Dubai Blue]

Ah well, could be I guess. That's been a rumour for a couple of seasons tbh. Maybe lazy journalism given his religion and ethnicity but who can say?

[hallamblue]

Morsy off to Dubai Hallam? Presumably you mean Saudi, although I imagine most of the better paid players probably commute from Dubai, Ronaldo style.

Where did you read that?

Yes, sorry I did mean Saudi.....i knew it was somewhere south of Portman Rd

Time will tell if thus is true and as Mike says it could be lazy journalism but it would surprise if he did go.

[hallamblue]

The problem for me with Cajuste is if we were in a position to keep him would it be advisable due to his injury problems. Even when he has been in the team he has been unable to last 90 minutes. Also, although he has looked class at times how many goals or assists has he provided?

I keep seeing thus " injury problems and can't do 90 mibs " etc...but what exact is his injury? Plus, the way McKenna operates his squad, who's to say he's being subbed for no other reason that mckennas tactics of making a change on 70 mins or 85 mins if you're Hirst.

[shabba]

I believe it’s a knee issue, I’m sure KM has referenced it over the season. I understand he was set to sign for Brentford and they pulled out due to the medical being failed over it, then town came in and got him.

[Shed on tour]

I believe it’s a knee issue, I’m sure KM has referenced it over the season. I understand he was set to sign for Brentford and they pulled out due to the medical being failed over it, then town came in and got him.

Correct. Brentford we’re on the verge of signing him until the result of the medical.

[Bluemike]

Fulham are reportedly interested in Town right-back Ben Johnson.

The 25-year-old joined the Blues on a free transfer last summer having been released by his boyhood club West Ham United, signing a four-year deal.

Now, according to Sky Sports News, the Cottagers are keen on the Londoner, who has never played outside of the Premier League.


His contract is understood not to feature a relegation clause and the former England U21 international will be in Kieran McKenna’s plans for next season having made a strong end to this campaign.

Town will be under no pressure to sell this summer - although are all but certain to lose Liam Delap due to the £30 million relegation release clause in his contract - and will be keen to keep most of the squad together ahead of their 2025/26 Championship campaign.

[shabba]

What would you take for him? £7m?

[ITFC2024]

I’d be fine with Johnson leaving. He had a few good performances, but he never really impressed me with his defending and ball distribution.

Cajuste will probably be too expensive anyway, so I’m not holding my breath on that. He’s a solid midfielder, but nothing overly exciting or worthy of a unreasonable transfer fee.

Hopefully Szmodics will remain fit as I’m sure he’ll be more effective in the Champ. Also, does anyone think Broadhead will stay?

[shabba]

Someone will probably have to go in that forward line, we have about 8 or 9 players there. Suspect Broadhead would stay.

[EveryoneKnowsaDave]

Hutchinson being linked with Leeds

[shabba]

Surely we’d want north of 30m for him?

[hallamblue]

Apparently he has a £35m relegation release clause in his contract. Agent knew what he was doing getting that written into his contract did he….