Ali Al-Hamadi's Ipswich Town exit - Reading FC, Sheffield Wednesday & Plymouth should be lurking | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at three clubs who should be showing a significant interest in Ali Al-Hamadi this summer.

Ali Al-Hamadi's loan move to Luton Town this season has not gone well, and after making his move to Ipswich Town in January 2024, the striker's association with the Tractor Boys may soon be coming to a permanent end.

The Iraq international has featured just a handful of times for Jack Wilshere's side this season in League One, and while the Hatters do have an obligation to buy the player on certain conditions, it seems unlikely that he will become a permanent member of the squad at Kenilworth Road.

Yet, Ipswich have moved on from the 24-year-old since he joined, and their Premier League ambitions will leave him with very little chance of making an impact on the team. Therefore, he may have to look for a new place to call home this summer.

Football League World has picked out three clubs who should pursue a deal for the striker once his deal at Luton comes to an end, and why he would fit in well.

Reading

Al-Hamadi is a player who could fit into the squad at Reading perfectly, with the Royals looking to push for promotion back to the Championship this season through the play-offs, and he has enough quality to be the perfect cover for their in-form forwards.

The 24-year-old has proven that he can be incredibly prolific, scoring 27 goals in 46 games for AFC Wimbledon before making his way to the Championship with the Tractor Boys, and a move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium could give him the freedom to become that striker once again.

Reading do have options in the striker position already, but bringing in a younger option will only benefit Leam Richardson. Jack Marriott is now 31 and his injury record is a major concern. Meanwhile, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is showing extremely positive signs, but it could be argued that he is better out wide, and another young option is therefore needed down the middle.

Mark O'Mahoney and Will Keane have only joined the Royals on loan, and it is vital that they find a replacement for at least one of those in the summer, especially if they win promotion through the play-offs. If not, they need a striker who can help the club make that push for the automatic spots, and Al-Hamadi can be exactly that player.

Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday have had a torrid season, and with the club desperate for David Storch's takeover to go through, there may be several supporters already planning on how their squad may just look once the new season begins.

The Owls are unlikely to be able to bring players in for a fee, but if they are able to organise a deal with Ipswich that would see Al-Hamadi leave either on a free or loan, he may just be the perfect young player to build a squad around in the years to come at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday fans do want to see Jerry Yates return to the club in 2026/27 from Luton after a successful loan, but if they are unable to do so, they could get one back over the Hatters by signing Al-Hamadi and developing him into the player that they never saw.

This is a huge reset for the Owls, and it is vital that they have players with experience in their squad, and despite his age, the Iraq international does have that in droves, and he would be a very good addition at Hillsborough ahead of a new era.

Plymouth Argyle

There's no denying that Lorent Tolaj and Aribim Pepple have been two of the very best forwards in League One this season, but if Plymouth Argyle fail in their attempt to reach the play-offs, then it would not be a surprise to see both move up a division.

This would leave Tom Cleverley with a significant problem in the summer, and signing Al-Hamadi from Ipswich could be the long-term fix that he may need to this issue, with the 24-year-old a player who would relish the challenge of leading the line by himself for a club like the Pilgrims.

Direct and efficient, Plymouth are a team that play exactly to the strengths of the Ipswich forward, and he would be a welcome addition at Home Park, with cover likely to be needed in the striker position.

Cleverley is starting to understand League One more and more each week, and with a player like Al-Hamadi in his side, he could be the difference for Plymouth next season - especially if Tolaj and Pepple move on.