Sources: Ipswich Town and Hull City in hunt to sign Birmingham City's Jay Stansfield
Ipswich Town and Hull City are keen on signing Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield after their promotions to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
The newly-promoted duo are both out to reinforce their squads this summer, and have already identified the 23-year-old as a player who could improve their attacks.
Sources have indicated that Stansfield "ticks a lot of boxes" for both Ipswich and Hull in terms of the qualities they are looking for in a striker.
The frontman has had a significant £25million price tag placed on his head after he caught the eye for Birmingham in their return to the Championship last term.
The former Fulham man notched 10 goals and six assists in the league, but was unable to help the Blues into genuine play-off contention.
Nevertheless, his form has prompted Premier League interest this summer, with a whole host of clubs tracking him at the moment.
Birmingham City want big return on Jay Stansfield investment
Stansfield has continued to impress and develop for Birmingham since they splashed out a record fee for League One to sign him back in 2024.
The ambitious second city outfit shelled out an eye-catching £15m to bring the striker in from Fulham, after he had previously starred on loan at St Andrew's.
That significant initial investment now looks set to have a major impact for any clubs that try to make a move for him this summer.
Birmingham will want to net a substantial profit on Stansfield whenever he does move on, hence their £25m valuation.
They also have ambitions of reaching the Premier League themselves in the coming years, and do not want to lose a player who could be key in helping them get there.
Stansfield's reputation has grown dramatically since he first moved to St Andrew's, and Birmingham will hope for him to be there for many years to come.
Ipswich closing in on Gary O'Neil deal
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last week that Gary O'Neil is the right manager to lead Ipswich forward after Kieran McKenna's exit.
The 43-year-old has since emerged as the leading candidate to step into the dugout at Portman Road, and the club are closing in on an appointment.
Wyness emphasised that the former Wolves boss was harshly treated at Molineux, when he was sacked just months after defying the odds by keeping the team in the Premier League.
Ipswich now appear set to hand the Strasbourg boss another chance to prove himself in the Premier League, and Wyness feels he is an ideal fit for the Tractor Boys.