Ipswich Town should strike Stoke City deal after Femi Azeez update | OneFootball

Ipswich Town should turn their attentions to Stoke City's Million Manhoef after ending interest in Femi Azeez

Ipswich Town will be busy preparing their squad for the Premier League this summer, where this time around, the Tractor Boys will be hoping to avoid the drop back down to the Championship.

Kieran McKenna has done a wonderful job since arriving in Suffolk back in December 2021, having taken Ipswich from the third tier to the Premier League in just two years, and securing their third promotion in just four, with another return to the Premier League beckoning.

Last time around in the top flight, Ipswich still had a large portion of players from their League One days, and were unable to keep themselves afloat.

But now, they are in a much stronger position to go and attack the top flight, as McKenna will be keen to make some more additions between now and the end of the window.

Forward options will likely be a priority for the Northern Irish boss, and he should look to take advantage of Stoke City's current contract situation by plotting a move for one of their star performers.

Ipswich Town should prepare a move for Stoke City's Million Manhoef after Femi Azeez update

McKenna has made his intentions of signing another forward option this summer clear already.

In January, the Tractor Boys tried to tempt play-off rivals Millwall into a deal for star winger Femi Azeez, and launched a bid in excess of £15 million for the 24-year-old, but saw their efforts rebuffed.

Azeez earned a spot in the Championship Team of the Season for his efforts on the right flank this campaign, with teammate Tristan Crama behind him, scoring 11 and assisting eight across 35 second-tier games this year.

Alan Nixon reported that Ipswich were ready to renew their interest in the winger this summer, but East Anglian Daily Times' Stuart Watson has since claimed that a move for Azeez, at this stage, is not on the cards, and the newly-promoted side will be turning their attentions elsewhere.

That elsewhere could be to Staffordshire, in particular Stoke, as Dutch winger Million Manhoef looks increasingly likely to depart the bet365 Stadium this summer.

Manhoef, 24, has shown glimpses of his talent during his two-and-a-half years in the Potteries, with seven goals and five assists this season alone, but has consistently been overshadowed by teammate Sorba Thomas this time around.

Best played off the right, Manhoef is at his best with the ball at his feet, where he can take on opposition players, with his close control and dribbling ability making him a tricky opponent.

However, as most players tend to do with Stoke, he hasn't quite developed enough, and with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2027, should he not sign a fresh deal within the next few months, he will almost certainly be moved on before they lose him for nothing.

With Ipswich ending their interest in Azeez, they should be looking to take advantage of Stoke's contract situation by plotting a move for Manhoef, who they could sign for a cut-price fee this summer.

The Dutchman could thrive with better players surrounding him, and Ipswich would be an excellent fit for him.

With Wes Burns ageing, Sindre Walle Egeli struggling to adapt as yet, and both Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene best off the left, there is no clear option for the right flank at Portman Road heading into next season, and Manhoef can go some way to fixing that.

Ipswich should strike sooner rather than later to get this deal over the line, with both , too.

Kieran McKenna must consider Million Manhoef swoop as Ipswich Town prepare for the Premier League

Ipswich will be keen to avoid the drop this time around, obviously, and will be doing everything in their power to ensure they are in as strong a position as possible by the end of the window.

The addition of Manhoef would add a different dimension to their attack, and for a cut-price deal, it's one that McKenna will almost certainly be tempted by.

How much of an impact the Dutchman could have in the top flight, at this stage, remains to be seen, but with his future likely lying away from Stoke, Ipswich should take advantage of the situation.