Ipswich Town tipped to steer clear of 'unlikely' £10m transfer for 7-goal star | OneFootball

Ilan Kebbal has become linked with the Tractor Boys in recent days

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town have been told that their reported pursuit of Paris FC's star winger, Ilan Kebbal, would be "unlikely" in what remains of the current winter transfer window.

The Tractor Boys are looking to strengthen their squad between now and the transfer deadline of 7PM on Monday evening, and continue to be linked with a whole host of attacking targets in order to do exactly that.

Kieran McKenna's side are firmly in promotion contention whilst still having a game in hand over Coventry City and Middlesbrough, which comes away to Portsmouth at Fratton Park on February 3rd.

It has been well-documented that the Northern Irishman is on the lookout, in particular, to sign a new centre-forward on either a permanent or loan basis, with the likes of Joel Piroe, Sam Surridge and William Osula amongst the most high-profile names to be linked on this front.

However, that also hasn't stopped the East Anglian side from eyeing up further incomings, particularly with former Championship Golden Boot winner, Sammie Szmodics, wanted by divisional rivals in the form of Wrexham, Stoke City and Derby County.

The developments which currently surround Szmodics are what have sparked rumours of an ambitious move for Kebbal, who was recently involved in Algeria's run to the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals, before they were defeated 2-0 by Nigeria.

However, as exciting a player as Kebbal has become for Les Parisiens, Football League World's Ipswich Town fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, believes a move for the 27-year-old could be revisited in the summer transfer window depending on circumstances.

Ipswich Town told to potentially revisit ambitious transfer move for Paris FC winger Ilan Kebbal

Speaking to FLW, Wilkin stated that he wouldn't be surprised that a player of Kebbal's current ability and future promise has cropped up on McKenna's list of potential targets due to previous Ligue 1-themed dealings involving Azor Matusiwa and Cedric Kipre - both of whom have been in strong form since their summer arrivals.

However, with a price-tag of £10m quoted by Alan Nixon, who also previously revealed interest in the seven-goal ace from Premier League strugglers, West Ham United, our fan pundit believes that Ipswich do not need to pursue an eight-figure deal at this stage.

"I don't think there's much in the Ilan Kebbal links," said Wilkin.

"He's been in good form in Ligue 1, and Ligue 1 is a league we have looked at previously with Matusiwa and Kipre. We've clearly scouted that division quite heavily.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was on our list. But, I can't see an investment being made in that position (right-wing) in this window," he claimed.

"I'd imagine, if he doesn't move in January, he could be one who we come and look at in the summer, depending on what league we are in.

"I think that's probably one that's unlikely (in the current window), because we're sorted in that right-wing slot with Wes Burns, Kasey McAteer and Sindre Walle Egeli," Wilkin stated.

Ipswich Town's current wing options mean Ilan Kebbal transfer is jeopardised in winter window

It perhaps wouldn't be the greatest of surprises if Ipswich were able to lure Kebbal to Portman Road from a financial standpoint, given the previous investments they have made since returning to the Championship.

However, as Wilkin alluded to, McKenna is already well-stacked in terms of options from the right-wing, which includes the man who was the subject of the second tier's all-time transfer record in Walle Egeli, who moved from FC Nordsjaelland for £17.5m.

It has been a mixed start to life in Suffolk for the teenager, although he has started to show promising signs in recent weeks as to why such a hefty sum was parted with to secure his services.

Burns has also made a strong impact since returning from a serious ACL injury, although the experienced winger is currently out-of-contract on June 30th, whilst McAteer is still yet to convince Town supporters as to why the club paid Leicester City a reported £12m for his signature in the summer window.