Omari Hutchinson sends ‘finished’ message as West Ham swoop
Ipswich Town face an increasingly difficult task to keep hold of Omari Hutchinson this summer after his exploits with England Under-21s.
Hutchinson was one of the Tractor Boys’ shining lights last season as Kieran McKenna‘s side failed to survive in their first season back in the Premier League, as relegation was sealed with four games left.
Liam Delap‘s breakout season saw him score 12 Premier League goals and has already resulted in a £30million move to Chelsea, and Hutchinson could be one of the next to depart Ipswich this summer.
Ipswich paid Chelsea £18.7m to sign Hutchinson permanently after his 11 goals and six assists helped fire them to promotion in 2023/24, but it remains to be seen if he’ll play in the Championship next season.
‘Job done’ for Hutchinson as Ipswich exit looms
Hutchinson’s output may have dropped last term amid a difficult season for Ipswich at the bottom, but that hasn’t stopped the likes of Everton and West Ham from stepping up their interest in the playmaker.
Former Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that West Ham could use any money brought in by Mohammed Kudus’ sale to pursue a deal for Hutchinson, after his displays for England Under-21s.
The 21-year-old did his chances of a transfer no harm at the Under-21 Euros in Slovakia as Hutchinson scored the second goal of the final, putting England 2-0 up against Germany in an eventual 3-2 victory.
After Jonathan Rowe came off the bench to score England’s winner in extra time, Hutchinson posted a cartoon image of himself on his Instagram story (30 June), with a caption of: “Job’s finished!”
Ipswich face uphill task to prevent Hutchinson transfer
Football Insider Verdict
Last summer’s moves for Jack Clarke, Jacob Greaves, Sammie Szmodics and others will stand Ipswich in good stead as they bid to bounce straight back from relegation, but Hutchinson could be on his way out.
West Ham are the current front-runners to sign the playmaker and Hutchinson is already familiar with members of Graham Potter’s squad, as well as being in Chelsea’s academy during Potter’s time there.
Everton will also be firmly in the hunt after missing out on Rangers forward Hamza Igamane, and though Ipswich are loathe to lose Hutchinson this summer, a bidding war for their playmaker could prove key to their own transfer business.