"Oh my goodness" - Exclusive: Ipswich Town praised for Lewis Cook, Philip Billing ambition | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys are looking at alternatives after a failed move for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney

Ipswich Town are reportedly eyeing loan moves for Bournemouth duo Lewis Cook and Philip Billing.

That’s according to a report from the Daily Mail, who state the pair are on the Tractor Boys’ list alongside Newcastle United’s Lewis Miley, following the club’s failed pursuit of Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

It’s an area that Ipswich could use some extra bodies, with only five midfielders currently listed in their squad, including attack-minded Sammie Szmodics.

We asked Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman whether landing one of the Cherries duo would be a real coup for Ipswich, given their experience at the elite level.

Lewis Cook and Philip Billing labelled “real coup” for Ipswich

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “Yeah, it hasn't been a brilliant start to the season for Ipswich and clearly they need central midfielders through the door in this window.

“They seem to be stacked in every other area, but from what I can see, there's only really three options in that central midfield area.

“So, that is clearly a desire for Ipswich. But if they could get Lewis Cook and Philip Billing, or either one or the other, oh my goodness me, that would be a statement.

“These are two Premier League-seasoned midfielders. If they got them both, they played together at Bournemouth, obviously, it would be a real coup. There's no doubt about that.”

One or both of the Bournemouth pair is a no-brainer for Ipswich

Given their light numbers in the middle of the park, and plenty of talent in defensive and attacking areas, the midfield is clearly where Ipswich need to focus their attention.

Newcastle’s Miley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in the Premier League, but for the tough fight ahead Kieran McKenna’s side to try and get back to the top tier, experienced heads may be a more sensible route.

Billing has 152 Premier League games to his name, added to 112 in the Championship, so has a wealth of experience both of where the Tractor Boys find themselves now and where they want to get to.

Cook boasts similar numbers, with 172 top-tier outings and 139 second-tier appearances, so one or both of the Bournemouth men would provide exactly the know-how McKenna’s central unit is crying out for; getting both would even feel somewhat overpowered, given the built-in connection they’d arrive with.

Crucially, they are aged just 29 and 28 respectively, so we’re not discussing ageing professionals, but top-level operators at the peak of their powers.

Move would make sense for the Bournemouth men too

Cook is nursing his way back to health from a knee injury, and Billing was an unused substitute in the Cherries’ opener against Liverpool.

The latter was restricted to just 10 appearances last season, the same number he reached out on loan with Napoli.

And while Cook featured much more prominently, reaching 36 league outings last term, his lay-off and journey back to recover will not make his re-entry to the side any easier.

There are game-time concerns for both men, especially Billing, and they both have more than a year left on their current deals.

Dropping down to the top end of the Championship, where they would stand out and be crucial to a side going to promotion, would not only be a smart step for their own careers, it would also boost Ipswich without the risk attached to a transfer fee, and get them in the shop window, should the Cherries want to look for a sale this time next year.