Ipswich Town and manager Kieran McKenna have hit a major stumbling block in their pursuit of Spanish striker Ivan Azón, with reports from Spain indicating that the 22-year-old Como forward is holding out for a move to La Liga side Valencia, despite Ipswich reportedly offering the most lucrative financial package.
What initially appeared to be a surprising yet ambitious move by the newly promoted Premier League side is now facing resistance, not from the selling club, but from the player himself. Azón, a former Spain U21 international, is believed to be sold on Valencia’s sporting project at the Mestalla, creating a frustrating impasse for Ipswich as they look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the Premier League season.
Ipswich’s Rise and Their Need for Firepower
After a remarkable Championship campaign that saw the Tractor Boys clinch automatic promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades, Ipswich’s transfer policy has been refreshingly assertive. With manager Kieran McKenna’s stock rising rapidly, the club has made it clear that they won’t be entering the top flight just to make up the numbers.
The recruitment strategy so far has focused on technical quality, youth, and players with room to grow into the Premier League stage. And with midfield additions such as Hayden Hackney in the pipeline and Omari Hutchinson returning permanently from Chelsea, the next area of urgent focus is the front line.
That’s where Ivan Azón came into the frame — a physical yet technically gifted forward with a burgeoning reputation in European football.
Who is Ivan Azón?
Azón’s profile fits neatly into McKenna’s blueprint. At 22, he has time on his side and a background that includes development through Real Zaragoza’s academy before his move to Como in Italy’s Serie B.
Azón has been on the radar of scouts across Europe thanks to his all-around striker qualities: strong aerial presence, good hold-up play, and clever movement in and around the box. Though he hasn’t yet played in one of Europe’s top five leagues, his potential is widely recognised, and his performances for Spain’s U21s demonstrated he can perform on big stages.
In Como, Azón played a key role in the club’s recent promotion campaign to Serie A, contributing with goals and intelligent forward play — making him a valuable asset both for his current club and for teams on the hunt for the next breakout forward.
Ipswich’s Interest: Strategic and Ambitious
Ipswich’s approach, reportedly first tabled late last week, came as a surprise to many observers. While most expected Azón’s next destination to be either Valencia — who have tracked him for months — or another La Liga outfit, Ipswich have thrown their hat into the ring in a bid to outmanoeuvre their European rivals.
According to reports from AS.com, the Blues’ proposal was not only competitive but actually superior in financial terms. The club offered both a better loan fee to Como and a more generous personal package to the player himself.
The bid highlights Ipswich’s willingness to think beyond traditional English market targets and to use their Premier League status, combined with McKenna’s progressive reputation, to attract top-level talent from abroad.
But despite their strong pitch, the response has not been what the Tractor Boys had hoped.
The Player’s Stance: Valencia or Nothing?
While Como remains open to negotiating with multiple clubs, Azón himself appears to be the key obstacle. According to AS, the player has made it clear that Valencia remains his preferred destination and that he is not in a rush to accept alternative offers, even ones that are financially superior.
The Spanish forward is reportedly enticed by the opportunity to play at the historic Mestalla under Rubén Baraja. With Valencia aiming to restore their status in the upper echelons of La Liga, Azón sees the club as an ideal platform to launch his top-flight career in his home country.
Negotiations between Valencia and Como had previously stalled due to disagreements over the structure of a loan-to-buy deal. This impasse opened the door for clubs like Ipswich, Getafe, and a still-unnamed Bundesliga side to approach — but it now appears Azón is willing to wait out the delay in hopes of a breakthrough between Como and Valencia.
McKenna’s Challenge: Sell the Project
For Kieran McKenna, this development represents a fresh kind of challenge — not tactical, but psychological. Convincing a player like Azón to choose Ipswich over Valencia involves more than numbers on a contract. It requires selling a vision — and fast.
Ipswich can offer Premier League football, a manager with a clear tactical identity, and a team environment where Azón would likely be a regular starter. At Valencia, by contrast, competition is stiffer and minutes are less certain.
Still, for a young Spaniard raised in La Liga culture, the pull of Valencia — a club with a rich European history, playing in front of 50,000 fans every week — is powerful.
If Ipswich are to salvage the deal, it may fall on McKenna and sporting director Mark Ashton to re-engage Azón directly and emphasize the opportunity at hand. Premier League football is the ultimate stage, and playing under a manager with a proven track record of developing young players could appeal if properly pitched.
What Does This Mean for Ipswich?
While the door isn’t closed, the situation is precarious. Ipswich are unlikely to wait indefinitely, particularly as the start of the Premier League season approaches. The club has other forward targets in mind, and the recruitment team will now weigh up whether it’s worth continuing to push for Azón or to pivot toward Plan B.
One possibility is to re-explore the domestic market, where players like Keinan Davis (free agent) or Brighton’s Deniz Undav (potentially available on loan) could provide alternate solutions, though neither fits Azón’s exact profile.
The other alternative could be looking toward South America or Eastern Europe, markets where Ipswich have quietly built a scouting presence and where they might find similar value with less competition.
What is clear is that Ipswich cannot afford to go into the Premier League campaign without a recognised, goal-capable striker to either partner or provide rotation for George Hirst and Freddie Ladapo, especially given the intense physical demands of top-flight football.
While Ivan Azón’s current stance represents a clear obstacle, it is by no means the end of the road for Ipswich this summer. If anything, the situation reinforces the scale of the ambition at Portman Road. The club is operating in markets they haven’t previously dared to enter, targeting players with genuine pedigree and upside.
Even if this particular pursuit doesn’t materialise, the message is loud and clear: Ipswich are thinking big — and acting accordingly.
That said, McKenna and his team will be acutely aware of the time pressure involved. The Premier League opener is drawing near, and settling the striker position is crucial not only for tactical balance but also for squad morale and fan momentum.
The Ivan Azón deal isn’t dead. But Ipswich Town now find themselves at a crossroads. Either they can convince a talented young forward to buy into their project, or they can move decisively onto the next opportunity.
What do you think of Ipswich’s pursuit of Ivan Azón? Should they wait for his decision or shift focus to other targets? Drop your thoughts below and follow for all the latest on Ipswich Town’s summer transfer saga. #ITFC #AzónWatch #PremierLeagueReady
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