According to TEAMtalk, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has allowed Ali Al-Hamadi’s departure, with Charlton Athletic, Luton Town, and Cardiff City all showing interest.
Ipswich Town are looking to bolster their squad before the end of the summer transfer market. Keeping key men is likely more vital for ITFC, but there are also voids to fill.
The Tractor Boys have focused on the striker position, and after a lengthy transfer drama, they beat Birmingham City to the signing of Chuba Akpom.
Another signing is possible, but he and George Hirst will most likely compete for a starting spot in Kieran McKenna’s squad.
Unfortunately, this moves Ali Al-Hamadi lower down the Ipswich Town pecking order, and according to TEAMtalk, McKenna has now given the green light for the Iraqi international to leave Portman Road.
He reportedly prefers to play in the Championship, although Bristol City’s desire has waned. Charlton Athletic has expressed interest, but the club already has several solid strikers on its roster, so adding another is not a priority. Al-Hamadi, an ITFC player, has attracted interest from League One clubs Luton Town and Cardiff City.
Ali Al-Hamadi could profit from dropping down to League One. Al-Hamadi, 23, may choose to stay in the Championship, but a move to League One with a promotion-chasing club like Luton Town or Cardiff City should not be ruled out.
AFC Wimbledon caught fire in a bottle when they signed Al-Hamadi in January 2023, and his remarkable performances won him a well-deserved promotion to Ipswich Town. He started promisingly, too, scoring several important goals off the bench as ITFC won promotion to the Premier League. Ali Al-Hamadi’s statistics by club – via Transfermarkt
| Club | Games | Goals | Assists |
| AFC Wimbledon | 48 | 27 | 8 |
| Ipswich Town | 29 | 5 | 2 |
| Stoke City (loan) | 15 | 2 | 0 |
However, the step up to the first division proved too much for him at the time, so he returned to the Championship with Stoke City.
That loan did not bear much fruit, which brings us to the present Al-Hamadi requires game time, which he may get more readily in League One than in the Championship.
Will two strikers be sufficient for Ipswich Town?
Allowing Al-Hamadi to leave makes sense for Ipswich Town given his position in the pecking order, but it also means that another striker will be needed before the window closes.
The challenge will be to find someone who is content with possibly sitting behind Akpom and Hirst in the pecking order.
Even though ITFC will only play one striker under McKenna, depth will be required. Conor Chaplin and Sammie Szmodics have previously played as strikers, although they are more effective behind the number nine.
Nathan Broadhead might be a strong option if he stays, although Wrexham have been attempting to work out a deal.
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