Ipswich Town claim made as Bristol City close in on ex-Tractor Boys star - it will "sting a little bit" | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich Town fan pundit has given his reaction to reports that Bristol City are set to sign former Tractor Boys midfielder Sam Morsy.

Bristol City are reportedly closing in on the signing of former Ipswich Town midfielder Sam Morsy.

Morsy spent four hugely successful years at Ipswich after joining from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2021, scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists in 165 games for the club, as well as captaining them to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.

After the Tractor Boys' relegation from the top flight last season, Morsy departed Portman Road in July for Kuwait SC, but it is fair to say the move did not go to plan, and he was released just two months later after making only three appearances, with the last of those ending in him being sent off.

Morsy has recently been training with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Under-21 squad in an attempt to maintain his fitness while he is a free agent, and with the January transfer window approaching, it seems he may not have to wait too much longer to find a new club.

It has been claimed that Bristol City are set to sign Morsy on a six-month contract, with an option to extend for a further year at the end of the season, as Gerhard Struber looks to bolster his threadbare midfield.

The Robins currently sit ninth in the Championship table, just two points from the play-off places, but with the likes of Joe Williams and Max Bird sidelined through injury, Struber is light on options in the middle of the park.

If, as expected, Morsy completes his move to Ashton Gate, he could face his former club Ipswich in a matter of weeks, with Bristol City making the trip to Portman Road on 20th January.

Ipswich Town reaction given as Sam Morsy nears Bristol City move

When asked for his reaction to Morsy's imminent move to Bristol City, FLW's Ipswich Town fan pundit Adam Wilkin admitted it will hurt to potentially see the 34-year-old line up against the Tractor Boys, but he insisted that he will be a strong signing for the Robins in their pursuit of promotion.

"I think it's a very shrewd move for Bristol City considering where they are in the league with Morsy's experience and leadership at Championship level in getting teams across the line," Adam told FLW.

"They've got a few injuries in the middle of the park there.

"They do have two very good midfielders in Jason Knight and Adam Randell, so he'll probably come in to compete with them.

"I'm maybe potentially surprised that Ipswich haven't come back in for him, just on a six-month deal, but my assumption is that Bristol City will have offered him a longer contract, which will be better for him in the long run.

"It will be a bit jarring to see him come up against Ipswich if he does play, especially as the only real reason we released him on a free was that he wasn't going to be back in the Championship and he was going abroad to see his career out there.

"That will potentially sting a little bit.

"In terms of his style of play, I don't think he's as aggressive as people say he is.

"He gets stuck in, but I can't see him going out to deliberately injure players, so I'm not worried about that."

Sam Morsy signing could be a game changer for Bristol City after Ipswich Town exploits

Morsy was the driving force behind Ipswich's back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, and it could be argued that he has been missed at Portman Road this season during what has been an inconsistent campaign for Kieran McKenna's men at times.

It is clear to see that Bristol City need extra depth in midfield, with defender Zak Vyner even having to fill in on occasions in recent weeks amid their injury crisis, so Morsy will certainly be a welcome addition for Struber.

However, as well as adding extra numbers, Morsy will bring plenty of experience and leadership qualities to Ashton Gate, and having him in the dressing room could help to transform the Robins from play-off contenders to serious promotion candidates.