adminDONE DEAL; Ipswich Town now reach agreement to sign “quality” £8m+ player for McKenna
Ipswich Town Make Progress in Midfield Hunt After Hayden Hackney Rejection
Ipswich Town have made significant progress in the transfer market, securing a deal for a player highly regarded by manager Kieran McKenna, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Hackney Turns Down Ipswich Offer
The Tractor Boys wrapped up their pre-season preparations with an impressive 3-0 victory over Auxerre on Saturday, as they get ready to face Birmingham City in their Championship opener this Friday. However, the weekend also brought a setback on the transfer front.
Ipswich had reached an agreement with Middlesbrough for Hayden Hackney in a deal worth up to £20 million. Despite the clubs coming to terms, the midfielder has decided against a move to Portman Road. Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards addressed the situation earlier in the week, describing it as a “win-win” for the club.
“The ball is in H’s court now, and that’s where we stand,” Edwards said. “If he stays, he’s a fantastic player for us. If not, we’ll have funds to reinvest.”
Attention Turns to Cajuste After Setback
With Hackney opting to remain at Middlesbrough, Ipswich have been actively pursuing other midfield options — including a familiar face. The club has reignited interest in Jens Cajuste, who spent last season on loan at Portman Road.
Talks with Napoli have advanced in recent days, and a breakthrough has now been achieved.
Agreement Reached for Cajuste Return
Romano reported on Saturday that Ipswich and Napoli have agreed terms for Cajuste’s return. The deal includes a €2 million loan fee, with a €7.5 million purchase option that becomes mandatory if Ipswich secure promotion to the Premier League. Final approval from the player is still pending, with a decision expected shortly.
Cajuste, a defensive midfielder, featured 33 times across all competitions last season, contributing one goal and one assist. Despite the team’s relegation, he earned praise from McKenna, who referred to him as “quality.”
“He’s been one of our top performers in a difficult season,” McKenna said. “Given the injuries he’s had, the challenge of adapting to a new league and country — it speaks to his quality. We rate him highly, but he’s a Napoli player, and any talks had to wait until the season ended.”
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