Ipswich Town urged to strike summer deal for ‘standout’ Swansea City star – it's 'well worth the risk' | OneFootball

FLW’s Ipswich fan pundit has commented on whether he would welcome Zan Vipotnik to Portman Road this summer.

Ipswich Town are firmly in the driving seat to secure automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Recent stutters from the likes of Middlesbrough and Millwall have handed the Tractor Boys a path to swoop in late to secure a top two spot, with the Suffolk-based outfit holding games in hand on their rivals to extend the gap ahead of the final run-in.

And with Kieran McKenna’s men looking set to make an instant return to the big time, the club will be contemplating whether changing their approach to recruitment could help them become Premier League regulars.

In their last top-flight stint, Ipswich had a big emphasis on signing top-end Championship players, but they weren’t able to make the step-up in class when finishing 19th last term after ending a 22-year absence from the top division.

They will be looking for better fortunes this time around if they can go on to secure promotion, but it appears the Tractor Boys may be looking to sign further second tier talent in the form of Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik, reportedly rivalling Coventry City and Brighton for his signature, as per a report by TeamTALK.

The Slovenian frontman has netted 20 times for the Swans so far this campaign from 39 appearances, a staggering upturn from his seven goals in 42 games during the previous term.

Viptonik has certainly stepped up to the plate when required, raising the question about whether he deserves a chance to either play for a top-end Championship side or in the Premier League.

So with this in mind, FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit has commented on whether he would welcome Vipotnik to Portman Road this coming summer.

Speaking to Football League World, Ipswich Town fan pundit Adam Wilkin has urged the Tractor Boys to seal a deal for Swansea City frontman Zan Vipotnik, believing he has been the ‘standout’ striker in the second tier and is ‘going to go far’ in his career following a breakthrough campaign.

When asked about whether Ipswich should pursue a deal for Vipotnik, Adam told FLW: “I think it very much depends on what league Town are in. It's clear that Vipotnik has been the standout striker in the Championship this season.

"Something we last did when we went up to the Premier League was sign standout players in that division, and Vipotnik fits that mold.

“It’s definitely an area that we’ll be looking to recruit whether we go up or stay down, but I just don’t know what he’s valued at, whether Swansea want to sell, how much money they would be looking at or whether there could be better options, but the number nine market is hard to purchase in, and he’s clearly a talented player, he’s going to go far.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we were looking at him. I think he’d come at a hefty price tag, but well worth the risk in my opinion.”

Ipswich Town, Zan Vipotnik move benefits both parties

You can fully understand why Ipswich are in the market for a new number nine should they return to the Premier League, with Kieran McKenna desperately needing a reliable goalscorer who can supply enough ammunition to keep them in the top-flight.

Even this season, back in the second tier, Ipswich have struggled up front, with neither one of George Hirst, Ivan Azon or Chuba Akpom cementing their place as McKenna’s preferred option to the lead the line.

And heading into next season, Hirst or Akpom are unlikely to be the first-choice options, whilst Azon will likely return to Como after his loan spell expires, so there is a big emphasis on needing a fresh face to take on the mantle and become the main man to lead the line.

That could well be Vipotnik, who is highly likely to secure the Championship golden boot after a stellar goal-scoring term, and is deserving of a chance to carry on his excellent form at the top level.

Of course, interest from Coventry and particularly an established top-flight team in Brighton will be of some concern, but Ipswich’s desperate need for a new number nine could be what tempts Vipotnik to Portman Road, as he knows he will get the opportunities to shine on the biggest of stages.

While nothing has been signed and sealed for Ipswich so far, they are on course to go all the way back to the promised land of the Premier League, and provided that does happen, then Vipotnik could well be one of the first additions in their summer spending spree.