Ipswich Town plot £10m transfer raid for 7-goal winger amid Sammie Szmodics news | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys are looking to reshape their squad in a bid for promotion

Ipswich Town are reportedly readying an eight-figure transfer move for the services of Paris FC winger, Ilan Kebbal, in the final days of the current winter transfer window.

That is according to a fresh update from Alan Nixon - via Patreon - on Wednesday afternoon, as the Tractor Boys continue to invest in an already high-profile playing squad that sees them in the thick of the Championship promotion race.

Despite suffering an unexpected 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon, Kieran McKenna's side are still well-positioned in their aims of achieving a first-time promotion back to the Premier League.

The Suffolk side are currently third in the table, five points behind Middlesbrough. But, Town still have to play their game in hand, which comes next Tuesday against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

It has been well-documented that, despite the attacking talent which has been at the Northern Irishman's disposal over the course of the season, McKenna is on the lookout for the further depth he believes will offer Ipswich a desired advantage in the final weeks and months of the season.

Town have already completed two eye-catching deals so far this window, with Anis Mehmeti joining from Bristol City as the Albanian international entered the final months of his contract with the Robins, before also completing an initial loan swoop for former Sunderland captain, Dan Neil, who was the subject of interest from several Championship, Premier League and European sides across the window.

And, with there now five days of the window remaining before the deadline of 7PM on February 2nd, Ipswich are searching for even more reinforcements in wide areas, although it may come at the expense of parting ways with Sammie Szmodics, who's future at Portman Road has recently been plunged into serious doubt.

Ipswich Town ready £10m transfer raid for Paris FC winger Ilan Kebbal amid Sammie Szmodics exit talk

According to Nixon, Town's interest in Kebbal is particularly "ambitious", with the 27-year-old making a serious impression of late with Paris FC and through his exploits at the African Cup of Nations, where he helped Algeria reach the quarter-finals before losing 2-0 to Nigeria on January 10th.

Overall, Kebbal has featured 120 times for Paris FC since his initial loan switch from Bordeaux in September 2022, before signing a permanent deal with the side from the French capital in July 2023.

The Marseille-born winger was a key influence behind his current employers' first promotion to Ligue 1 in 46 years last season, scoring five times and registering a further seven assists in 30 appearances, before reaching an even greater level of performance at the Stade Jean-Bouin so far this season.

In just 18 Ligue 1 appearances, Kebbal has already bettered his goal tally from last term, scoring seven times and providing four further assists for his teammates, as Paris FC currently find themselves 14th in the table, eight points clear of the relegation places with 15 games still to play.

As a result of his strong form for club and country, despite only being called up to the Algerian senior side for the first time back in October, it was reported earlier in the window that Kebbal had emerged as a target for West Ham United alongside Adama Traoré, whose switch to the London Stadium has now been confirmed.

Nixon's report on the aforementioned links stated that Paris FC would command a £12m sum from the Hammers. However, the transfer guru now claims that the Tractor Boys are looking to potentially strike a deal worth approximately £10m.

It has been revealed that Kebbal is also being viewed as a priority signing as Szmodics' time in Suffolk appears to be over, with Derby County seeing an initial bid rejected as the seasoned Championship campaigner is eyed by his former Blackburn Rovers boss, John Eustace, whilst Stoke City and Wrexham have also reportedly shown interest.

Despite signing for £9m in August 2024, a move to Portman Road hasn't worked out for Szmodics, who won the Championship's Golden Boot just two seasons ago.

The Republic of Ireland international has only made 39 appearances for the Blues, scoring five times whilst also suffering a handful of injury issues.

As such, it is clear that a parting of ways would be extremely beneficial for Szmodics and Town, whilst the signing of Kebbal would certainly represent a strong replacement and potential upgrade, as the Algerian is also three years younger whilst being in such a rich vein of creative form.