Ipswich Town can seal impressive Blackburn Rovers transfer on one condition | OneFootball

Ipswich should look to sign Blackburn's Ryan Alebiosu this summer if promotion is secured

Ipswich Town could still fire themselves back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, though the likes of Millwall, Southampton, and Middlesbrough will be doing everything they can in their power to spoil their ambitions.

It hasn't been a vintage year for Ipswich by almost any standards, yet the Tractor Boys still find themselves within a shot of promotion entering the final games of the season.

Upon their relegation from the Premier League last time out, many had expected Ipswich to be one of the favourites for the Championship title, yet that hasn't quite panned out for Kieran McKenna's side.

Coventry City have since got their hands on the Championship title after securing promotion to the Premier League, and in truth, their fate never really appeared to be in doubt, as Ipswich never looked to be a real threat for the top spot.

A busy summer rebuild after an array of exits likely has something to do with Ipswich's inconsistent form, and despite promotion still being in their grasp, it looks like it will be another busy window at Portman Road in the coming months.

Darnell Furlong was brought in at right-back to offer Ben Johnson stern competition, with the former West Brom defender having been McKenna's preferred choice for the majority of the campaign. Yet, if promotion is secured, the Suffolk-based outfit must almost certainly look elsewhere for an upgrade, and should plot a move for a certain Nigerian international who has torn up the Championship this season.

Ipswich should plot a move for Blackburn's Ryan Alebiosu this summer if promotion to the Premier League is secured

Heading into next season, Furlong will almost certainly be a part of McKenna's squad, though what role he will play solely depends on what league they are in.

Remaining in the Championship will likely see him retain his place at right-back, but promotion to the Premier League will surely see him be upgraded and become a rotation option.

The 30-year-old has been solid for the Tractor Boys since his move to Portman Road, but solid in the Championship won't cut it in the top-flight, as McKenna will be aware of now, and they must look elsewhere this summer for an upgrade.

Ryan Alebiosu has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Blackburn Rovers, having joined the club last summer from Belgian side KV Kortrijk for around £500k after a promising loan spell in Scotland with St Mirren.

A fully-fledged Nigerian international, the 24-year-old came through the ranks at Arsenal before spells on loan with Crewe Alexandra and Kilmarnock led him to Belgium, and now Blackburn, where he has thrived this campaign.

Despite his season at Ewood Park being disrupted by a trip to AFCON with Nigeria, Alebiosu has still made almost 40 league appearances in his first season in the second tier as things stand, scoring once and assisting four.

The athletic right-back has predominantly operated as a wing-back this campaign, and his ability to get up and down the right side has seen him become one of the only bright sparks in an otherwise glum season in Lancashire.

As recently as January, it was reported by ESPN that both Everton and Wolfsburg were interested in Alebiosu, whilst Italian side Genoa saw a €5 million (£4.3 million) bid rejected for the defender.

Whichever division Blackburn are playing their football in next season, Alebiosu will almost certainly be in high demand this summer, and Ipswich should be one of the front-runners for his signature in the coming months.

Kieran McKenna must target Ryan Alebiosu this summer if Ipswich earn a Premier League return

With Furlong and Johnson being McKenna's only two options at right-back heading into next season, an upgrade will definitely be needed if promotion is secured.

The pair have over 120 Premier League appearances between them, and over a further 300 in the Championship, with Furlong having more experience in the second tier, as Johnson has more in the top-flight.

Despite this, Johnson has played less than 800 league minutes this season, seeing his game time slashed following relegation, with McKenna bringing in Furlong to replace him at right-back.

However, for all of Furlong's experience, a fresh pair of legs on the right side of McKenna's preferred back four may be required, and Alebiosu would give just that.

Strong, quick, and comfortable going forward and backwards, the Nigerian has all the hallmarks to become a top-tier full-back, and Ipswich should have him high up on their shortlist this summer in case of promotion.

Alebiosu looks destined to go on to play at a high level, and another move to the Championship already seems too small for him, as the Tractor Boys must make him a priority target in the event of a Premier League return in the coming months.