One of the favourites for the Championship, Ipswich Town, have reached a deal to sign a midfielder with Champions League experience.
The Tractor Boys return to the Championship after failing to survive in the Premier League last season.
Many expect them to make an immediate return to the top flight. To do so, they’ve been busy in the transfer market. Importantly, they’ve not lost all of their star players. Liam Delap is the biggest name to leave, but they’ve used the money from Chelsea wisely.
Kieran McKenna’s side are set to make another signing, with Jens Cajuste set to join from Serie A side Napoli.
Jens Cajuste to Rejoin Ipswich Town
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on his X that Ipswich Town and Napoli have reached a deal for Cajuste to rejoin Ipswich. It comes after Cajuste’s move to Besiktas fell through.
The midfielder will join the club on loan for a fee of €2 million. There’s a mandatory €7.5 million buy option if Ipswich return to the Premier League.
All that’s needed now is for the player to accept the offer from the Championship side.
Cajuste and McKenna to Reunite
It’s no surprise that he is set to return to the club. Cajuste spoke to the East Anglian Daily Times at the end of last season about how much he respects Ipswich manager McKenna:
“He’s [Kieran McKenna] a special manager. I have massive respect for him as a person and also as a coach. He has a great football mind. I’ve learnt a lot from him in a short period, and I know I’m going to learn a whole lot more as time goes on, so I’m just excited for that.
“The number one thing that Kieran has pushed me on is intensity. He’s always talking about keeping that intensity for as long as possible, striving to keep that intensity for 90 minutes. That’s the ultimate goal.”
In the same piece, the Swede discussed how at home he felt at the club:
“It’s a fantastic group, a great group of guys.
“I felt it from day one that there’s a very strong bond. Now there are a few more new additions, but the coach is doing well to integrate them. Everybody’s buying into the culture of what it’s like here.
“I think Suffolk does suit me.
“Like you said, I’m pretty relaxed, pretty laid back, so I think it suits me like a hand in the glove. I think it’s perfect for me.”
Cajuste’s Champions League Experience
Cajuste has played in Europe’s elite club competition. The 25-year-old featured six times in the Champions League for Napoli in the 2023/24 season.
He received a Sofascore average rating of 6.56 for his performances as he failed to make a real impression in any of the games.
Last season for Ipswich in the Premier League, he featured heavily. Cajuste played 30 times, starting 25 times and received an average rating of 6.7 – the eighth highest in the club.
