Two signings down and a host of names already linked with Ipswich. Let us take a look at the possible ins and outs of the Portman Road revolving door.
Monday 16th June saw Ipswich sign Pim Balkestein, the highly rated Dutch defender for around £100,000 from Heerenveen. He maybe seen as one for the future but he certainly seems to have been signed for next season and be assisted at the back by his new mentor and possible club captain, Gareth McAuley.
Northern Irishman McAuley is already targeting the Premiership for his new side having joined from League One Leicester City. McAuley was in the heart of the defence that got relegated from the Championship, but also part of the Foxes defence that conceded 11 fewer goals than Ipswich who were just a point off the play-offs.
The man that has made everything possible is Marcus Evans. The multi-millionaire has invested £12 million into the team last season, as well as his shirt sponsorship which is a club record.
Despite having the financial firepower to buy players that are capable of winning the side promotion, being a rich Championship club does come with the stigma of willing to pay anything for a player. Manager Jim Magilton has dismissed this, claiming that he won’t pay over the odds for anyone despite having a large amount of money burning a hole in his pocket.
On the other hand, not willing to pay a little extra may mean that the Tractor Boys miss out on players that are the difference between winning and missing out on promotion.
The Evans millions means that Ipswich are linked seemingly linked with every player, along with QPR, to bump up the price. The club were with ex-Carlisle keeper Keiren Westwood before he signed for Coventry recently. No-one is doubting his ability, but was sold for around £750,000. When the Blues were linked, figures of around £1.5 million were being quoted.
Moving swiftly on, Ipswich are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper and with ex-loanee Stephen Bywater being told he will not be needed at Portman Road next season, there are plenty of decent keepers that can fill the void. Antti Niemi, Kasey Keller are just a few names that could be Town’s new number one next season.
In defence, Cardiff City’s Roger Johnson is still linked in connection with a possible move to Portman Road, but a number of Premiership clubs are said to be interested in him.
The Tractor Boys are also still searching for a new full-back or two. Dan Harding is on the transfer list which leaves only David Wright and youngster Kurt Robinson in the full-back positions.
As for strikers, Shola Ameobi is still said to be interested in talking to the Blues when he comes back from his honeymoon but other reports say that he is holding out for a Premiership club – is it just me or does it remind you of Dave Nugent last season?
The revolving door is very much open, and there will be plenty of activity we suspect in the coming days and weeks at Portman Road.
