With Omari Hutchinson closing in on a big-money move to Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town are preparing for life without one of their standout stars — and manager Kieran McKenna will be eager to find the right successor before the season kicks into gear.
Following their relegation from the Premier League, Ipswich have already seen several key players depart. Liam Delap joined Chelsea after a stellar campaign up front, and Nathan Broadhead was sold to Wrexham for £10 million. Now, Hutchinson looks set to follow, with Forest reportedly agreeing a £37.5 million deal — a record sale for the club.
Replacing Hutchinson won’t be easy, but there are three exciting names McKenna could target this summer:
1. Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Hull City)
Although he’s expected to leave Hull City soon — with Spanish side Getafe currently leading the race — Ipswich could still make a late push for the versatile attacker. At just 22, Sayyadmanesh notched eight goal contributions during the 2024/25 season and offers explosive pace, intelligent movement, and positional flexibility across the front line.
Despite his past ties to rivals Norwich City, Sayyadmanesh would be a quality addition to Ipswich’s attack and could be available for a relatively modest fee.
2. Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley)
A more budget-friendly option could be League One standout Davis Keillor-Dunn. The Barnsley winger had a phenomenal 2024/25 season, racking up 18 goals and 5 assists. He’s already hit the ground running again this campaign, with two goals in his first two appearances.
Keillor-Dunn’s quick feet, creativity, and consistent end product make him a strong candidate to make the jump to Championship football. With Barnsley in a difficult financial situation, a £5 million offer could be enough to get a deal over the line.
3. Ben Doak (Liverpool)
Perhaps the most high-profile option is Liverpool youngster Ben Doak. After a productive loan spell at Middlesbrough last season — scoring 3 goals and providing 7 assists in 24 Championship games — the Scottish international is on the radar of several clubs.
Ipswich could offer the 19-year-old a step up in quality and expectations, giving Liverpool confidence in another loan move. Doak’s raw speed, confidence in one-on-one situations, and work rate would make him an ideal short-term replacement for Hutchinson.
Losing Hutchinson will be a blow, but with a healthy transfer fee incoming, Ipswich Town have the opportunity to reinvest smartly. Whether McKenna opts for a proven lower-league star like Keillor-Dunn, a dynamic Championship-ready option like Sayyadmanesh, or takes a short-term punt on a Premier League loanee like Doak, the replacement process will be key to the club’s hopes of bouncing back.
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