Ipswich Town are set for talks with in-demand Hull City duo Jacob Greaves and Jadon Philogene after agreeing a deal with the Humberside club believed to be worth £35 million as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
Both players have had no shortage of admirers. According to the Hull Daily Mail, Greaves has had interest from Everton, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
Everton, Crystal Palace and Barcelona have all been linked with Philogene.
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has made it clear he will not stand in either player’s way if they wish to move on, and Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke is now reporting that a double deal has been agreed.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein says that Greaves has been given permission to undergo a medical, but talks with Philogene are still ongoing.
Philogene eyes top flight chance
Philogene originally came through the academy at Aston Villa, but found first team opportunities hard to come by and was sent out on loan moves to Stoke City in 2021-22 and Cardiff City the following season, before making a permanent switch to Hull City.
In February he grabbed widespread attention after a spectacular rabona goal against Rotherham United.
A countdown by Playmaker of the best talents in the EFL last season listed Philogene at number 23.
The report cites his ability to operate on either wing being an attractive proposition for clubs. They also mention his ability to draw fouls from opponents and advance the ball into dangerous areas.
Greaves looks to complete climb through divisions
Should Greaves complete his move to Suffolk, it would complete his journey through each of England’s top four divisions.
He spent the first half of the 2019-20 season on loan at Cheltenham Town in League Two.
He made his Hull City debut in September 2020 in an EFL Trophy match against Leicester City U21 and played 39 games as the Tigers won the League One title.
He has only missed three league games in as many seasons in the Championship and was named Hull’s Player of the Year for 2023-24, also being named in the Championship Team of the Year.
Speaking to The Athletic in March, Greaves was full of praise for then manager Liam Rosenior, highlighting his own history with the club as well as his style of play, wanting to play out from the back.
Ipswich looking to keep momentum going
Ipswich Town have without doubt been one of the biggest stories in English football over the last couple of seasons, earning back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League- becoming the first side to do so since Southampton in 2010-12.
That success led to manager Kieran McKenna being touted for a number of jobs, including Brighton and Hove Albion and his former club Manchester United.
However, the Northern Irishman committed his future to Ipswich and with the Tractor Boys playing in the top flight for the first time since 2002, he will be hoping to keep the good times going.