Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has shed light on the absence of young star Omari Hutchinson during their recent Carabao Cup tie, revealing that the 21-year-old forward “felt he couldn’t contribute.” This revelation comes as transfer speculation surrounding Hutchinson intensifies, particularly following a rejected £35 million bid from Nottingham Forest, who are set for a Europa League campaign. Brentford is also said to be monitoring the situation.
Hutchinson, eager to return to the Premier League after Ipswich’s relegation last season, decided not to participate in the Tractor Boys’ surprising exit from the Carabao Cup against Bromley. The League Two side stunned Ipswich, winning via penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
McKenna Addresses Hutchinson’s Absence
After the defeat, McKenna clarified that Hutchinson’s decision to sit out the match was entirely his own. “He trained on Monday okay and then felt he couldn’t contribute today with the situation as it is,” McKenna explained. “That was his decision. He expressed his desire to continue playing Premier League football if the opportunity arises. We understand how challenging this situation is for him, being just 21 years old. It’s not easy, and there are various ways to handle these things. Players often receive advice from different sources, and we empathize with his circumstances.”
Club’s Position on Transfer Speculation
Despite the swirling rumors, McKenna emphasized that Hutchinson is not on the verge of leaving Portman Road. “There hasn’t been anything that has changed the club’s position yet,” he stated. “It’s known that Omari had a buy-out clause in his contract that was active for a few months, but there were no serious offers during that time. Once that position closed, it became the club’s prerogative to make decisions as they see fit. So far, there has been no interest or offers to alter that status, but we’ll see what the coming weeks hold.”
Hutchinson’s Impact at Ipswich
Hutchinson joined Ipswich permanently from Chelsea last summer for £22.5 million, following an impressive loan spell where he scored ten goals and provided six assists during the 2022/23 Championship season, helping the club secure automatic promotion. However, their Premier League return after 22 years did not go as planned; Ipswich finished 19th with just 22 points—26 points shy of safety.
In the top flight, Hutchinson struggled to find his form, contributing only three goals and two assists.
Ipswich Transfer Activity This Summer
It’s been a busy summer for Ipswich beyond the Hutchinson headlines. Notable signings include:
- Jens Cajuste (on loan from Napoli)
- Chuba Akpom (temporary signing from Birmingham City)
- Ashley Young (free transfer)
However, the club did experience a significant loss with striker Liam Delap departing for Chelsea in a £30 million deal after just one season. This mirrors the fleeting nature of many Ipswich fans’ Premier League dreams, which ended abruptly upon their relegation.
As the transfer window remains open, all eyes will be on Hutchinson and Ipswich Town as they navigate this challenging period.