Ipswich Town and Stoke City in transfer battle to sign German-born star | OneFootball

Ipswich and Stoke have both been linked with a defensive reinforcement in the January window

Ipswich Town and Stoke City are both monitoring Antonios Papadopoulos ahead of the January transfer window.

According to Football Insider, the defender is attracting interest from the two Championship sides, with the winter market set to open in just a few weeks.

Ipswich and Stoke are both contending for automatic promotion to the Premier League this season, so will be keen to utilise the midpoint of the term to bolster their squads.

The market will open in the new year, as Kieran McKenna’s side seek an immediate route back to the top flight, having finished 19th in the table in the previous campaign.

Meanwhile, the Potters haven’t been in the first division since their 2018 relegation, but are currently occupying a play-off place as the halfway mark approaches.

Ipswich and Stoke eye German defender

It has been reported that Ipswich and Stoke are both monitoring Papadopoulos ahead of the January transfer window.

The Lugano player has been with his current side since the 2024 summer transfer window, where he helped the club finish fourth in the table last season.

It remains to be seen whether the Swiss club would be willing to cash in on the 26-year-old in the new year, with the defender also capable of playing in midfield.

The two Championship sides are both keen on the German, who has earned experience playing in all three of Europe’s major cup competitions, including two appearances for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

He made a total of five appearances in the Bundesliga for the German giants prior to his move to Lugano last year, where he has featured 45 times in the Swiss Super League.

Meanwhile, Stoke are currently fourth in the second division table, with Ipswich three points behind in ninth but with a game in hand.

Antonios Papadopoulos signing could make sense for Ipswich

Both Ipswich and Stoke have defensive options, but the Tractor Boys are a little lighter at the back, so could potentially use some strengthening in January.

Dara O’Shea, Cedric Kipre and Jacob Greaves are all strong choices for McKenna, but any kind of injury and they will suddenly be quite stretched.

Kipre is also only at the club on loan, albeit with an option to make it a permanent deal, so bringing in someone like Papadopoulos would also give them greater options going into the summer.

The 26-year-old has played well in Switzerland, and has experience from the very pinnacle of the game, so he could prove a smart move for either team if he is willing to join in January.