Fabio Carvalho signs: How Ipswich Town’s perfect summer transfer window could look | OneFootball

FLW identifies the perfect summer transfer window for the Tractor Boys as they make a return to the Championship.

Ipswich Town will be making early preparations for their return to the Championship, after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed at the end of April.

The Norfolk-based outfit conclude their top-flight campaign this weekend when they host West Ham, with the Tractor Boys enduring a miserable return to the big time. Failing to bridge the gap between second tier sides and the established top-flight clubs, Kieran McKenna’s men have only collected 22 points as they bring the curtain down on the term.

Ipswich know that they will be expected to leapfrog straight back to the Premier League due to the superior financial resources they possess, although a successful summer transfer window will be imperative for the club to compete towards the top end of the table.

With this in mind, Football League World has identified some key signings that Ipswich should make this summer in order to give themselves the best possible chance of promotion.

IN: Willem Geubbels

Ipswich are likely to lose star striker Liam Delap this summer after a successful personal season in the top-flight, with the former Hull man netting 12 times from 36 appearances.

Such regular scoring form has led to serious interest from Manchester United, with Sky Sports reporting that the Red Devils are in pole position to land the 22-year-old.

This means the Tractor Boys will be on the look out for a new man to lead the line, with the club being linked with a move for St Gallen striker Willem Geubbels.

Despite being unproven in England, the frontman’s talents have caught the eye of the likes of Leeds United and West Brom throughout this season, while German outfit Union Berlin are considering on swooping in for a summer move.

At the age of 23, Geubbels could be a shrewd piece of business given his versatility, with the forward able to be a threat either out wide or through the middle, which bodes well given Omari Hutchinson’s reported £35m release clause.

Transitioning into a more well-rounded asset, Geubbels has shown his previous top-flight potential in France with Lyon and Nantes, and could be the perfect addition to help ease Ipswich back into second tier life and help him realise his Premier League ambitions.

IN: Torbjorn Heggem

Ipswich have had a habit of raiding West Brom for defensive assets, with Alex Palmer, Dara O’Shea and Conor Townsend all making switches from The Hawthorns to Portman Road in a short period of time.

They could also be interested in a move for Albion defender Torbjorn Heggem, who has been a sensation in his first campaign of English football.

The Norwegian international featured in all but one of West Brom’s 46 Championship games, netting once as well as notching two assists, and is expected to receive transfer interest this summer after a series of strong performances.

Heggem’s immense versatility is another reason he should be on Ipswich’s list of targets, with the 26-year-old equally comfortable playing in the heart of defence as well as left-back, which could well be called upon if Leif Davis makes an exit this summer.

Such an imposing figure at 6ft 6in, Ipswich could take advantage of West Brom’s fragile financial state and add a defender to their ranks who is on the rise in his career.

IN: Fabio Carvalho

Rounding off the list of summer additions is current Brentford man Fabio Carvalho, who has really struggled to make himself a household name in his first season under Thomas Frank.

After eye-catching displays at Hull City that saw him record nine goals and two assists in the second half of the 2023-24 season, the Bees captured the attacking midfielder on a permanent deal from Liverpool, but Carvalho has suffered with injuries and as a result, a lack of game time.

Featuring just 19 times and earning only 445 minutes, a loan move to one of the recently relegated clubs could be exactly what he needs to restore his confidence and get him back to playing regular football in a successful system.

Ipswich will also be in need of recruiting a new number 10 following the impending departure of Julio Enciso back to Brighton, and Carvalho showed how much a livewire he could be in a free-flowing Tigers side under Liam Rosenior.

Carvalho has the potential to be such a dangerous attacking talent at Championship level, and his creative output could be significant for Ipswich making an immediate return to the top-flight if he was to make the move.