Ipswich Town have already agreed to recruit Cedric Kipre on loan from Stade de Reims, and they are apparently close to signing another Ligue 1 player this summer.
Ipswich is likely to sign Cedric Kipre.
So far, the summer transfer market has been quiet at Portman Road as Kieran McKenna attempts to assemble a team capable of immediately returning to the Premier League in the absence of Liam Delap. The excellent forward was always going to go once relegation was confirmed, and he did exactly that when Chelsea came calling in a desperate push for his services.
Replacing the forward remains Ipswich’s most difficult challenge this summer, but it isn’t at the top of their priority list. Instead, according to recent rumours, The Tractor Boys plan to begin their summer business by signing Kipre on loan from Reims, giving the central defender his first return to English football since leaving West Bromwich Albion last year.
Kipre will need little introduction to Championship supporters given his previous experience in England’s second division, and that experience should prove invaluable to McKenna’s side next season.
It is unclear whether signing Championship expertise is part of Ipswich’s broader aim this summer. Recent ties have arisen, with Kwame Poku touted in recent weeks before his move to QPR, but those at Portman Road may need a midfield reinforcement to match Kipre’s likely arrival this summer.
Ipswich are in advanced talks to sign Matusiwa.
According to Le Parisien, Ipswich are close to an agreement to sign Azor Matusiwa from Stade Rennais this summer. The defensive midfielder cost the French club roughly €16 million (£14 million) in January 2024, but he appears to be leaving just 18 months later to join McKenna’s side.
| League stats 24/25 (via FBref) | Azor Matusiwa | Jens Cajuste |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 2,078 | 1,959 |
| Progressive Passes | 134 | 59 |
| Tackles Won | 39 | 22 |
| Ball Recoveries | 134 | 107 |
Matusiwa is a strong candidate to replace Jens Cajuste. The midfielder excelled the former Ipswich loanee and Napoli player in some crucial areas last season and will thrive in the Championship if he makes the move this summer.
Matusiwa might be a steal at Portman Road in a £10 million move. During his stint at Reims, the midfielder received plaudits on several occasions, including from Ben Mattinson in 2023. The analyst rated the Dutchman’s anticipation as “great” and praised him as “strong” and “agile”.
So, while Ipswich has taken its time getting started, both Kipre and Matusiwa would be great additions to restart their transfer window.
Leave a Reply