Kieran McKenna should take Ipswich Town 'risk' in Coventry City, Newcastle transfer race | OneFootball

Ipswich Town are rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign Solly March, who is set to leave Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer this summer.

It's been a memorable season for Ipswich Town in the Championship this term, as the Tractor Boys returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Kieran McKenna's side finished second behind Coventry City in the second tier standings, and the Portman Road faithful will be hoping that their side can adjust to the demands of the top flight at the earliest of opportunities.

The step up from the Championship into the Premier League can sometimes be an unforgiving one for some teams - as Ipswich learned themselves in 2024/25 - but Sunderland are a good example of a team that have recruited well over the summer, and now find themselves playing European football next season.

Ipswich Town are seemingly keen to attack the transfer window early on, with TEAMtalk reporting that the Tractor Boys are rivalling Coventry City to the potential signing of Solly March amid competition from the likes of Newcastle, Everton and a host of other top-flight outfits.

March is out of contract with Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, and he'll be leaving the Seagulls after a 15-year spell at the AMEX Stadium as a one-club man to date.

Concerns raised over Ipswich's interest in Solly March

March has been with Brighton since 2011, and has gone on to make 300 appearances in total for their senior side, in what has been a memorable time with the Seagulls.

However, he's found it tough to find regular minutes in recent years, with a series of injury problems limiting his game time in Fabian Hürzeler's squad during the 2025/26 campaign.

March made just four Premier League appearances for Brighton this season, and it won't have been too surprising to hear that he would leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

Football League World's Ipswich Town fan pundit Adam Wilkin reacted to his team's interest in signing March this summer, and he felt as though it would be a 'risk' to sign a player who has found it tough to stay injury-free in recent years.

"I think there's definitely value to having a couple of experienced heads in the dressing room. I think central midfield probably isn't a place to bring those in. We saw a bit with Kalvin Phillips the last time we were in the Premier League and Jens Cajuste who was managing a niggle.

"Not having that consistent midfield partnership can really hurt you, particularly in the Premier League. So, I think with his injury record, that could be a risk. He's also a very versatile player. He can play on the wings, he can play in central midfield, and at full-back before."

Would Solly March start for Ipswich Town?

March's lack of minutes will be a concern for any potential suitors heading towards the new league campaign, but if he can stay clear of injuries, then he could prove to be a shrewd addition to newly promoted teams such as Ipswich Town and Coventry City.

Wilkin went on to highlight March's versatility as a useful asset to Kieran McKenna ahead of the 2026/27 season, but felt as though the 31-year-old wouldn't be a regular starter for the Tractor Boys in the Premier League.

"I think as a versatile player, depending on how much he wants, he could be a decent squad option as the third or fourth choice across different areas. I don't think he'd be coming in to start games."

It's certainly set to be an interesting summer ahead at Portman Road, and it remains to be seen whether a formal approach will be made to March by Ipswich Town anytime soon.

If Kieran McKenna's side can recruit smartly this summer, then they'll have every chance of avoiding an immediate relegation back into the Championship next season.