Ipswich Town tipped to sign 20-goal striker this summer - 'He would improve them' | OneFootball

Kevin Phillips has told Ipswich to pursue a deal for Swansea's Zan Vipotnik this summer

Ipswich Town's return to the Premier League is not yet assured, as, although they remain in the driving seat to claim their immediate return to the top flight, each of Millwall, Southampton, and Middlesbrough are set to push them all the way.

It hasn't exactly been the year that the masses were expecting from Ipswich upon their return to the Championship.

Many had expected them, including numerous Tractor Boys supporters, to have had a much stronger campaign, given the squad that Kieran McKenna has put together.

The Northern Irish boss tried to offset the losses of the experienced Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo with the additions of Ashley Young and Darnell Furlong, whilst other longer-serving players such as Conor Chaplin, Luke Woolfenden, and Nathan Broadhead all left the club.

Their biggest loss, however, was that of Liam Delap, who managed to hit 12 goals and two assists in 37 top-flight games last season, with the club having struggled to replace his output.

Regardless of what division they are playing in next season, a centre-forward will be a high priority for Ipswich, as a former Premier League striker with over 90 top-flight goals to his name has outlined one particular candidate to fill that void up top at Portman Road.

Kevin Phillips tells Ipswich to target Swansea's Zan Vipotnik this summer

Ipswich have seriously lacked a goalscoring touch up top this season.

Neither George Hirst nor Ivan Azon have successfully filled the void left by Delap's departure in the summer, and in any instance, one or two more bodies will be needed up front heading into the next campaign.

Azon will return to Como at the end of his loan spell, leaving Hirst as the only option for McKenna next year at the moment.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has suggested that the Tractor Boys target Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik this summer, with the Slovenian set to be in high demand as he looks set to finish the campaign with the golden boot.

Vipotnik joined Swansea in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer from Bordeaux, and after a slow first year in Wales, he has come to life this campaign, with 21 goals and three assists in 41 league games as things stand.

Phillips, who has netted just shy of 100 Premier League goals himself, has touted him for a move to Ipswich this summer, saying: "I really like this player.

"I've spoken about him before this season. He’s got a bit of everything. He’s a big lad. He’s certainly suited to the Championship, that’s for sure. The Premier League is a different ball game, we know that.

"But to get 20 goals in any league, certainly in the Championship, is extremely difficult, and the season’s not over yet, so he could quite easily get a few more. That’s in a team that’s 15th in the Championship, so that’s some going.

"He’ll be in demand over the summer. People will be looking at him closely, and the types of teams like Ipswich, if they are to get promoted, that’s the type of striker that they should be looking at, because if they don’t survive in the Premier League, they know they’ve already got a ready-made Championship striker.

"He’s a quality player. He would improve their squad for sure."

Vipotnik would almost certainly improve Ipswich's side next season, with the 24-year-old demonstrating that he knows exactly where the back of the net is.

Despite his goals, Swansea look set to finish this season mid-table and will be preparing for a flurry of bids coming their way for the striker this summer, as Phillips has touted McKenna's side to join the race, though their task in obtaining his signature is far from straightforward.

Kieran McKenna must secure Premier League promotion with Ipswich to boost chances of signing Zan Vipotnik this summer amid strong interest from elsewhere

If Ipswich are to seriously stand a chance of signing Vipotnik this summer, securing promotion to the Premier League would significantly boost their hopes, but even in that instance, their task of luring the Slovenian to Suffolk is not simple.

Vipotnik has been the subject of interest from the likes of Benfica, Brighton and Hove Albion, Leeds United, and Coventry City in recent weeks, as the race to obtain his signature is set to hot up.

Fortunately for Swansea, the Slovenian signed a new four-year deal until the summer of 2030 in South Wales, putting the club firmly in the driving seat when it comes to negotiating a fee for the striker.

However, Vipotnik has been vocal about his ambitions to play Premier League football one day, saying: "That's my goal. I would like to play one day in the Premier League, [whether that is] with Swansea or with another club, God will decide."

Head coach Vitor Matos has reaffirmed Swansea's stance on the matter, claiming only "proper money" will lure him away from the club this summer.

Ipswich, in any case, face an uphill task to sign Vipotnik, though should they fail to secure promotion, then there is almost certainly no chance in obtaining his signature this summer.

Whether the 24-year-old remains a Swansea player beyond the summer remains to be seen, though Ipswich and McKenna will certainly be hoping to have a say on the matter.