Ipswich Town are set to pip Wolves to the signing of Republic of Ireland international, Dara O’Shea. The Burnley man has kept one clean sheet and scored a goal already for the Clarets this season, so he’s effective in both boxes.
The Tractor Boys have already spent over £70 million this summer as they look to give themselves a fighting chance of staying in the division despite their biggest-ever outlay in one transfer window, they don’t appear to be slowing down as their advances for O’Shea become more serious.
Ipswich Town closing in on Dara O’Shea
O’Shea has both Premier League and Championship experience. Ipswich would be signing a defender to help them stay in the top flight, but also lead their backline if the worst was to happen, making him an attractive option.
If Ipswich can pull off this ambitious deal it’ll show a sign of the times as they’re up against a more established Premier League club in Wolves. The Midlands outfit have money from big summer sales to spend, but for O’Shea to pick Kieran McKenna’s side would be a big statement.
TalkSport’s Alex Crook has revealed that Ipswich are now ‘in the box seat’ to sign O’Shea this summer. He also admitted that while Wolves hold an interest in the player, there remains a gap in valuation for the player, allowing the Tractor Boys to swoop in.
McKenna set for further reinforcements
As things stand, this would turn out to be the 10th summer signing at Ipswich, although O’Shea could very easily be the 11th. Jack Clarke is reportedly undergoing his medical to secure a move away from Sunderland and test himself in the Premier League once again.
If Ipswich are to stay up this season, then their transfer business must be spot-on. Far too often, clubs have come up, and brought in a load of players but failed to get them to gel and thus, suffered an immediate relegation back into the Championship.
While the Tractor Boys did suffer defeat in their first home game back in the top flight, they put up a solid fight against Liverpool. It doesn’t get much better for McKenna’s side, who travel away to the champions, Manchester City.
A new-look centre-back partnership at Portman Road?
McKenna has already signed one new centre back in the form of Jacob Greaves from Hull City, and he may soon have a new partner in O’Shea. It would be a bold move to reshape the heart of their defence, especially when someone such as Ben Johnson – another new recruit – is yet to come into the side as well.
O’Shea has a good mixture of Premier League and Championship experience having made 61 and 70 appearances respectively. So, like a lot of the signings Ipswich have already made this summer, they’re being brought in for the present and future, no matter what division they end up in.