Contract extension a ploy or long-term plan for Hutchinson?
Omari Hutchinson has been impressing on loan at Ipswich Town, and his majestic displays in the championship have yielded the Tractor Boys decision to bring him on a permanent transfer this summer.
The Hale End graduate played on loan at Portman Road for the 2023–24 campaign. His proficient displays for Ipswich’s championship-winning campaign mean they want to keep him in their books. The 20-year-old netted 10 goals and laid six assists for Ipswich in the recently concluded campaign, and Kieran McKenna, who was linked with a move to Chelsea, wants to bring him back as they prep for their first season in the Premier League in over 22 years.
The West Londoners would want to keep him at the Bridge following his impressive performances, and they recently triggered a clause in his contract to extend his deal until 2026. However, that, in hindsight, could just be to protect Omari’s value.
Ipswich Town prepare £20m bid for Chelsea starlet Omari Hutchinson
With McKenna keen to bring him back, Ipswich Town are readying a £20 million bid for the Jamaican international, per Football.London. However, they aren’t the only ones in the race, as the likes of VfB Stuttgart, Ajax, and Feyenoord are also interested in landing the former Arsenal star.
Omari already holds McKenna in very high regard. In an interview with The Athletic during the 2023–24 season, Hutchinson said: “The coach watched me when I was with the Chelsea Under-21s and saw that I could be good at pressing. But I didn’t really do it as much as I should. He said, ‘I’m going to need that from you if you are going to play for me in the championship’.”
“Tactically, he is just a genius. I have improved a lot since I came here. He, his coaching staff, and the other players have all improved me. In the attacking third, he has just told me to be free, to do what I am best at—”Go at players; that is why we signed you’.”
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Now it is to be seen if Chelsea considers selling Omari Hutchinson or if they give him a much-deserved run in the first team.