IPSWICH TOWN want to sign Omari Hutchinson on a permanent basis in a deal that would over QUADRUPLE their record transfer outlay.
The Tractor Boys are locked in talks with Chelsea over a potential £22million swoop for the 20-year-old attacker.
Jamaican international Hutchinson was snapped up by Kieran McKenna last summer on a season long loan.
And he went on to be one of Ipswich’s star men as they claimed a second-successive promotion to reach the Premier League.
Hutchinson scored 11 goals in his 50 appearances in all competitions, with ten of them and five assists coming in the Championship.
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Now McKenna, who rejected a number of clubs to pen a new mega-money long-term contract last month, has made it a top priority to sign him and they appear to be closing in on a deal.
However, no buy-back clause will be inserted into the package by Chelsea as the two teams thrash out terms over a future sell-on clause instead.
That is according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who posted on X: “Ipswich Town open negotiations with Chelsea to sign Omari Hutchinson on permanent deal.
“German clubs were also keen but Ipswich Town are now pushing after McKenna’s decision to stay as key factor.
“Ipswich Town hope to get it done as talks are ongoing.”
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He then added: “Understand there’s NO buy back clause in current talks between Ipswich and Chelsea.
“The two clubs are discussing permanent move with sell-on clause, expected to be included in the deal. Talks ongoing.”
The Daily Mail claims that the fee is £22m - which is over four times the £4.75m they paid Sampdoria for club record signing Matteo Sereni back in 2001.
Hutchinson was previously at Chelsea as a kid before a stint at Charlton Athletic led to Arsenal snapping him up.
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He progressed through their academy ranks and was named on the bench for an FA Cup game against Nottingham Forest in January 2022.
Hutchinson returned to Chelsea two years ago and had a baptism of fire – making his Premier League debut against Manchester City as a 68th-minute sub in January 2023 at Stamford Bridge.
But last season was his first proper senior football experience with Ipswich.
And he capped it off by helping them to secure the second automatic promotion spot to seal a return to the top-flight for the first time in 22 years.