Sheffield United man could be Ipswich Town's bargain answer to Kieffer Moore dilemma: View | OneFootball

Ipswich Town will look to strengthen ahead of a huge Premier League campaign.

The Tractor Boys have achieved unprecedented success over the last two years, firstly finishing 2nd in League One to see them return to the Championship. The first season back in the second tier was outstanding for the Suffolk club, as they battled among the top three all season and eventually earned automatic promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Kieran McKenna is the man responsible for success at Ipswich as he achieved back-to-back promotions in the first two full seasons of his managerial career. As expected, McKenna has received plenty of interest from bigger clubs following his side's success, but it now seems that the 38-year-old will remain at Portman Road for at least one more season.

This is the best possible news for Ipswich Town supporters, as they will go into a daunting Premier League campaign with the man they totally trust at the helm.

The next step for Ipswich, now that McKenna appears to be staying, is to prepare the first-team squad for top-flight football. While the club do have the talented duo of George Hirst and Ali Al-Hamadi on the books, they may look to add Premier League experience to that number nine role.

Kieffer Moore could be the man they look to given his loan spell this season, but there may be better options available to them. Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie is set to become a free agent this summer, which should certainly give Ipswich something to think about.

Ipswich should consider Oli McBurnie this summer

If the Tractor Boys are looking for Premier League experience in the number nine role next season, they should look no further than Sheffield United's McBurnie.

The 6ft 2" striker has spent three full seasons in the Premier League with Sheffield United, as well as making a number of appearances for Swansea in the top flight, and has become a popular figure at Bramall Lane through his important goals.

His contract expires this summer and it remains to be seen whether he'll sign the new deal, reportedly on reduced terms, he's been offered following the Blades' relegation to the Championship.

McBurnie is certainly capable of a move to the lower end of the Premier League this summer, and Ipswich Town seems the perfect fit. He scored six Premier League goals and assisted three in just 15 starts last season in a poor Sheffield United side, so he has the experience if Ipswich find themselves in a relegation battle.

McKenna clearly favours a traditional number nine to slot into his 4-2-3-1 formation, and McBurnie on a free transfer could be a no-brainer this summer.

Oli McBurnie would be the perfect Kieffer Moore alternative

Moore enjoyed a decent loan spell with Ipswich this season, scoring seven Championship goals in 18 appearances, so they may look to sign him on a permanent deal this summer.

While the striker would likely provide Ipswich with a handful of goals next season, he turns 32 in August and is approaching the twilight of his career, so he would only be a short-term solution.

McBurnie turns 28 in June and notably has plenty of Premier League experience in front of goal. There are huge similarities between McBurnie and Moore, with both possessing a real dominant presence up top.

Similarly to Moore, McBurnie relies on his strength to hold the ball up and bring teammates into play, and he does this superbly. His aerial ability is extraordinary, and he has the experience of beating Premier League defenders in the air.

Both strikers clearly have similar strengths, but McBurnie has looked better suited to Premier League level, which gives him the edge when comparing the two. Moore failed to really kick on in the top tier with Bournemouth, scoring just five goals in his only two Premier League campaigns, compared to McBurnie's 13 in three seasons.

The 28-year-old's goalscoring record is far from breathtaking, but his ability to bring others into play and shield the ball away from Premier League defenders would be absolutely key for Ipswich next season. On a free transfer, it comes with very little risks, so the Tractor Boys should absolutely take him into consideration.