Omari Hutchinson sends message to Jeremy Sarmiento as Ipswich exit rumours swirl
Omari Hutchinson has sent a message to Brighton forward Jeremy Sarmiento as rumours around his potential departure from Ipswich Town this summer continue to emerge.
Hutchinson’s side endured a tough season last time out, as they were unable to stay in the Premier League despite being tipped to perform well following a stellar Championship campaign.
He joined Ipswich last summer from Chelsea for a fee of £20million [BBC] and impressed under Kieran McKenna, so looks to be set to move again soon after Football Insider recently revealed that Hutchinson has a £35m release clause in his Tractor Boys contract.
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in June that the Hammers are interested in a move to sign Hutchinson this summer, while Brentford recently saw a £35m bid for his services rejected by the Tractor Boys [BBC].
Other clubs have also joined the race for his signature, with Football Insider recently revealing that Hutchinson is open to joining Everton amid interest from the Toffees, and it feels like a matter of time until he departs Portman Road.
Brighton’s Jeremy Sarmiento posts pre-season update
Hutchinson was a part of Ipswich’s squad when they won promotion to the Premier League last year, as a loanee from Chelsea, and he was joined in attack by Ecuador international Sarmiento, who had moved to Portman Road on loan from Brighton in January 2024.
Sarmiento’s future with the Seagulls is unclear after a recent loan spell with Burnley, and he took to Instagram on Tuesday (22 July) to post some pictures of his summer away from Brighton, him playing padel, and also in pre-season training.
He and Hutchinson are clearly still close after their impressive Tractor Boys exploits, as the Ipswich winger replied to Sarmiento’s post saying: “Let’s play” with a racket emoji.
Hutchinson would be a smart signing for a PL side
Football Insider verdict
Even though his statistics of three goals and two assists in 32 league games last term are not the greatest, Hutchinson was one of Ipswich’s most influential players throughout the campaign, and certainly showed that he feels at home in the top-flight.
His pedigree will be what makes interest from Brentford, West Ham and Everton grow stronger, having played in the academies of both Arsenal and Chelsea, while he even played twice for the Blues’ senior team before his initial loan move to Portman Road in 2023.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 82 | 14 | 8 |
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (22 July) that the Bees are expected to make another approach for Hutchinson following Bryan Mbeumo’s confirmed exit, but it remains to be seen how much they will offer to sign him and if Ipswich agree to a sale.
He is a versatile player, as he can play on either wing and at number 10, while he is surely not done progressing to be the best version of himself as a player at just 21-years-old, so clubs will want to unlock his lofty potential.
Hutchinson’s £35m valuation does seem somewhat steep at this stage of his career, but he has already shown that he is too good for the Championship with 16 combined goal involvements as Ipswich went up last year, so it would not come as a shock if he looks to force a move away in the coming months.