Ipswich Town have made an offer worth a total of more than £8m to sign a player who Kieran McKenna has publicly praised.
Ipswich Town summer signings so far with bid accepted for Hackney
The Tractor Boys and McKenna are preparing for life back in the Championship ahead of the 2025/26 season and have been active in the transfer market as they eye an immediate return to the Premier League.
So far, Ipswich have brought in four new players, with Azor Matusiwa being the most expensive from Ligue 1 side Rennes.
However, the Championship transfer record could soon be smashed with Ipswich having a £20m offer accepted for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.
The midfielder is now considering his future, with Boro boss Rob Edwards recently speaking on Hackney’s proposed move to Ipswich.
“I can’t say too much more right now than what’s already been said [that an offer has been accepted]. The ball, so to speak, is in H’s [Hackney] court now, and that’s where we stand.
“I think it’s a win-win, and I’m happy to reassure fans of that and to be calm about the situation. If H stays here, he’s a brilliant player and he’s ours which is great. If he’s not, there will be funds available.”
However, he isn’t the only midfielder wanted at Portman Road, with an offer now made for another target who Tractor Boys fans know well.
Ipswich Town make bid worth total £8.2m to re-sign Cajuste
According to reports on Friday, relayed by The East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich Town have made an offer to bring Jens Cajuste back to the club from Napoli.
The proposal on the table from Ipswich consists of a €2m (£1.7m) loan fee, with an option to buy that becomes mandatory in case of a return to the Premier League for €7.5m (£6.5m).
Worth £8.2m in total, Cajuste has also been linked with Premier League sides Burnley and Crystal Palace, as well as Turkish side Besiktas.
Ipswich’s midfield has seen an overhaul this summer, with McKenna without Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo, while Kalvin Phillips and Cajuste returning to their parent clubs following their loan spells.
Therefore, Matusiwa, Hackney and Cajuste for 25/26 could be a strong engine room. Speaking back in May, McKenna called Cajuste one of Ipswich’s “top performers” in 24/25 when asked about the chances of re-signing the midfielder.
“I think those conversations are for down the line. Would we like to keep Jens? He’s somebody else’s player, so I never like to answer too much, but I think it would be obvious.
“He’s been one of the top performers this season and to do that in a team that’s found it a big challenge, with some injury issues that he’s been carrying, and in a new league and new country – I think it’s testament to his quality. He’s a player that we like a lot, but he’s a Napoli player. Any conversations won’t take place until the end of the season.”
Now, it looks as if that is on the cards, making this one to watch.
