How Ipswich Town can emerge victorious over Brentford in Omari Hutchinson transfer battle in the next 24 hours
Ipswich Town are rebuilding under Kieran McKenna in the Championship in 2025/26, but they will be desperate to retain Brentford target Omari Hutchinson
We understand that Hutchinson has a £35 million release clause, but the Ipswich Town attacker could still remain for another Championship campaign next season.
Hutchinson is one of Ipswich’s most expensive signings ever, and their outlay signifies how highly thought of he is by McKenna and the club. The news of Brentford interest is, therefore, difficult to take.
However, the latest twist in the tale comes via Stuart Watson of The EADT and Ipswich Star, who claims Ipswich won’t accept less than the full £35 million for Hutchinson.
He states that their understanding is that Ipswich will not entertain anything less than his release clause price and that they could well put the price up, given that the clause expires at 5pm today.
By tomorrow, Brentford could simply be priced out of any move for the winger to replace Bryan Mbuemo.
- READ MORE: Chelsea starlet has ‘turned down’ a move to the Championship after Ipswich and Middlesbrough links
Omari Hutchinson’s Ipswich Town career stats so far
Hutchinson was terrific aged just 19 and 20 during the promotion campaign of 2023/24, with last year not the best example of what he was capable of, even if he showcased impressive moments in flashes.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2023/24 – Championship | 50 | 11 | 6 |
| 2024/25 – Premier League | 32 | 3 | 2 |
He might not be an instant impact player for Brentford, should a deal come to fruition, but he could join a long list of developed players at the club who go on to have better seasons after an initial campaign of bedding in.
Even more beneficial to his development could be to rip up the Championship once more — that looks like being the most likely outcome as of right now.
Gareth Southgate has already endorsed Middlesbrough’s ‘outstanding’ transfer swoop
Middlesbrough’s start to the summer transfer window has been slow, but business at the Riverside will soon ignite into life.
While other Championship clubs are making some excellent signings, most notably Birmingham City, Middlesbrough are yet to bring anyone through the door.
The Teessiders are on the lookout for new recruits, as EFL Analysis revealed last month that Middlesbrough are interested in Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist.
Boro also placed Pavel Sulc on their radar, although the Victoria Plzen midfielder has his eyes set on a top-flight move after impressing in the Europa League.
However, during a summer that will have largely frustrated Rob Edwards so far, Middlesbrough are on the verge of pulling off a sensational coup.
- READ MORE: Derby County snubbed in deal for Championship captain, he’s chosen a surprise move instead
Gareth Southgate’s ‘outstanding’ praise for Danny Ings
The striker department is an area Edwards is looking to strengthen this summer. Boro’s only current potential forward options are Marcus Forss, Delano Burgzorg and Tommy Conway after Josh Coburn was sold to Millwall.
Of that trio, Conway is their only out-and-out striker, leaving the North East side needing to bolster in that department.
Luckily, it emerged on Monday that Boro are in advanced talks to sign prolific forward Danny Ings, formerly of Burnley, Liverpool, Southampton, Aston Villa and most recently, West Ham.
Ings was once one of the best English strikers in the country, as during his time at Southampton, he struck 22 Premier League goals during the 2019/20 campaign.
It was around this time that an England call-up was on the cards for the striker, and former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate endorsed the 32-year-old in 2020.
“He’s a great character,” Southgate said via the Daily Echo. “He had a really difficult spell at Liverpool with injuries – that move could have been so different for him.
“But he is very popular with everybody he plays with because of his personality and the way he works for the team.
“He had an outstanding season with Southampton, his goalscoring record was top drawer and he thoroughly deserves his place on merit.”
- READ MORE: The real reason Tommy Doyle snubbed Premier League offers in favour of joining Birmingham City
Ings will guarantee Boro goals
Although Ings preferred a move to the Premier League, the forward only made 15 appearances in the competition for West Ham last term, scoring once.
The diminutive forward has seen his form decline rapidly in recent years, perhaps needing a season in the second tier to get back on track and prove he’s still one of the best finishers around.
In 87 Championship appearances, Ings has scored 27 goals, including a 21-goal haul during his time at Burnley in the 2013/14 campaign.
Ings boasts piercing movement in behind defences and is a clinical finisher in the box, with Boro potentially landing one of the bargains of the summer on a free transfer.
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