Not including recent loan star Omari Hutchinson, Ipswich Town have already been linked to 19 players this summer. Stuart Watson gives his take on each and outlines our approach to covering this transfer window.
HOW WE’LL COVER THE WINDOW
It’s that time of year again. Silly season. When dozens of players get linked to multiple clubs on a daily basis. There’s going to be more of that than ever before regarding Ipswich Town now they are back in the big time.
How we approach the transfer window will be slightly different.
When links pop up from what we consider a reputable source (and that’s harder than ever to define), we will acknowledge it with a story online. That story will be clearly badged up as an ‘Ipswich Town rumour’, with the source clearly credited. This is not us saying we understand there to be any truth to the story, just documenting that it exists.
But be assured, however, that our journalistic principles will stay the same. Bringing you transfer exclusives – as we did with Ali Al-Hamadi back in January – is still the goal. As and when we can add some ‘we understand’ guidance to stories already out there, using our sources, we will. If we can’t, we’ll try and add value to the rumours with some considered comment.
Let’s kick things off with a verdict on 19 players who have already been linked over recent weeks…
Taylor Harwood-Bellis will sign for Southampton following their promotion to the Premier League. (Image: PA)
TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS (Man City)
April 14: The Sun reported that Town were ready to pounce for the cultured centre-back if they went up to the Premier League and Southampton didn’t.
VERDICT: A nonsense story that gained more traction than it should have done. Smith Rowe may well leave the Gunners this summer after making just three league starts last season, but not for that sort of money. The Telegraph reports that Fulham ‘are ready to bid’. I might be wrong, but this looks out of Town’s budget.
JOHN LUNDSTRAM (Rangers)
May 4: Midfielder played 62 times in the Premier League for Sheffield United and has spent the last three seasons at Rangers.
The Sun reports that Ipswich are ready to hijack Turkish side Trabzonspor’s move for the 30-year-old midfielder.
VERDICT: Lundstram has now officially been released as Rangers look to slash their wage bill. Could be seen as an experienced player/leader t
