Watford plotting to win Luke Woolfenden, Ipswich Town transfer race ahead of Coventry City & Stoke City | OneFootball

Luke Woolfenden's future at Ipswich Town is the subject of intense speculation ahead of the 1 September deadline.

Watford are among the clubs eyeing a move for Luke Woolfenden from Ipswich Town this summer.

According to Ipswich Town news outlet TWTD on Friday, the Hornets are keen on signing the centre-back as we approach the end of the transfer market.

The window is set to close at 7pm on 1 September, leaving clubs with just over a week left to complete any remaining moves.

Woolfenden’s future at Portman Road has become the subject of intense speculation, with the defender falling down the pecking order of Kieran McKenna’s side in the last year.

Watford eye Ipswich Town Luke Woolfenden ahead of Coventry and Stoke City

It has been reported that Watford are among the sides considering an approach to sign Woolfenden this summer.

It’s believed that the Championship side are a serious contender to take the defender away from the Suffolk outfit.

It was previously reported by journalist Ben Jacobs that the Tractor Boys turned down an offer from Coventry City for the centre-back.

However, it’s also been claimed that Stoke City are also interested in the player, so his future is far from certain in this late stage of the transfer market.

But Sheffield United are unlikely to reignite their January transfer interest, with the Blades understood to not be in contention to sign Woolfenden right now.

The 26-year-old signed a new contract with Ipswich as recently as January, with his deal now keeping him at Portman Road until the summer of 2027.

Luke Woolfenden’s importance at Ipswich

Woolfenden came through the Ipswich academy system before earning his place as a key part of the first-team squad from the 2019/20 season onwards, after previous loan spells with Bromley and Swindon Town respectively.

The defender featured 41 times in the league as the club gained promotion from League One in 2023, before making a further 41 appearances the following season in the Championship as McKenna guided the team to a second consecutive top two finish.

However, he played just 15 times in the Premier League last season, falling down the pecking order even with his new contract.

He also did not compete in either of Ipswich’s first two league fixtures of the 2025/26 campaign ahead of this weekend's trip to Preston North End.

Ipswich must consider a sale at the right price - Watford could be ideal destination

Ipswich have already turned down one offer, but if a sizable bid does come in for Woolfenden then they have to consider a sale.

Woolfenden is likely fourth choice centre-back in this current Ipswich Town crop, so game time will be limited this season if he stays at Portman Road.

While he is an academy player, and thus keeping him will keep a connection with the supporters, the reality is that there will be a number that is simply too good to turn down for the club.

Whether or not Watford can reach that figure remains to be seen, but a move to Vicarage Road could be ideal for him.

Hornets boss Paulo Pezzolano deployed a three centre-back system in their recent victory over QPR, meaning there should be plenty of opportunities for him to find his way into the starting XI there should that approach continue to be used.

Watford's centre-back options, and defence in general, is largely comprised of young and fairly inexperienced players, so adding a proven and experienced Championship and EFL campaigner in Woolfenden could also really boost his chances of carving out a big role for them.