Able to play out wide or as an attacking midfielder, Hutchinson had a stellar reputation in youth football but he was still deemed a gamble when Ipswich agreed a season-long loan for the player after only two senior appearances.
Both games were in the blue of Chelsea, who signed Hutchinson from Arsenal’s academy on a free transfer in 2022. One appearance came in the FA Cup and the other in the Premier League, when the youngster emerged from the bench late on against Manchester City.
Despite his lack of top-level experience, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea are demanding up to £30m for Hutchinson this summer.
The Londoners have decided not to consider another loan spell away from Stamford Bridge as Stuttgart, Ajax, Feyenoord and clubs in the Premier League consider coughing up for a permanent switch.
Ipswich are reportedly preparing a £90m bid of their own, which would obliterate their long-standing transfer record. Hutchinson’s future may depend on how early talks go with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
Maresca had the chance to assess Hutchinson at close quarters last season, when he was in charge of Championship side Leicester City and the player was battling them for promotion at Ipswich. But Chelsea’s squad is stacked in attacking midfield and out wide, increasing the likelihood of sales this summer.
