Fabrizio Romano has reported that Ipswich Town have rejected a £35 million bid from Brentford for 21-year-old attacker Omari Hutchinson.
£35 Million Hutchinson Bid Rejected
The news comes after Romano reported the Bees’ interest in the youngster earlier this week.
Keith Andrews’ side reportedly see Hutchinson as a potential replacement for Bryan Mbeumo, should the Cameroonian move to Manchester United.
Romano added that the England under-21 international had a release clause in his contract, but that Brentford’s offer, which would have made Hutchinson the seventh most expensive sale in the history of the Championship, fell short of the requirements.
This release clause is now thought to have expired, meaning that the Tractor Boys are confident of keeping one of their most valuable assets heading into the new season.
However, Hutchinson is reportedly eager to get back into the Premier League and is keen on joining Brentford.
This could potentially leave Kieran McKenna in the awkward position that many managers of relegated teams find themselves in, where one of his most talented players is still contracted to the club, but does not want to play in the second tier.
Although the Redhill-born man had a distinctly average first campaign in the Premier League last season, it is clear to see why Brentford’s data-based model has identified him as an ideal replacement for Mbeumo.
When comparing their first seasons in the Premier League, Hutchinson has very similar numbers to Brentford’s number 19 in a number of key areas, such as goals scored per 90, chances created per 90, ground duel success rate and take-on success rate.
Writer’s View
This deal looks set to become one of the biggest transfer sagas in the Championship as Ipswich Town are clearly eager to keep hold of one of their star young players, whilst Brentford will have money to burn if they lose Mbeumo in addition to Christian Norgaard and Thomas Frank.
Hutchinson was excellent for Ipswich the last time they were in the second tier, but their recruitment strategy last season has meant that their squad is full of high-quality Championship players. The Tractor Boys have Jack Clarke, Wes Burns, Jaden Philogene, Nathan Broadhead, Conor Chaplin and Sammie Szmodics as players who could potentially be used in attacking midfield instead of the 21-year-old.
If it was not for Burns and Ogbene picking up cruciate ligament and achilles tendon injuries respectively, the Tractor Boys may have been more willing to let Hutchinson leave, but McKenna and co. are clearly conscious of the gruelling fixture schedule in the second tier and the need to have a big squad to counter it.
