Ipswich Town are still awaiting confirmation of the permanent transfer of Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa.
The club has agreed a deal worth £20 million, plus add-ons, for the versatile winger, with personal terms settled and a medical completed. However, the 22-year-old missed the registration deadline and will not be available for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Bristol Rovers.
In his pre-match press conference, Kieran McKenna commented: “There’s nothing to update at the moment. He’s still an Aston Villa player, and as far as I know, the deal hasn’t been completed yet. If anything changes, the club will announce it.”
McKenna also declined to discuss the rejected £16 million bid for Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak, which Liverpool turned down.
Additionally, reports linking Ipswich with a move for Nemanja Matic have been dismissed, while former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is not a target for the club this month.
Regarding potential departures, Sheffield Wednesday have been linked with a loan move for Ipswich right-back Harry Clarke. McKenna, who has strengthened his right-sided defensive options with the loan signing of Ben Godfrey from Atalanta, confirmed that Clarke could leave on loan until the end of the season.
“There’s a possibility that Harry Clarke will go out on loan,” McKenna said. “He’s an important player for us and a very good one. He played through injury last season and had surgery in the summer, which led to him missing a few months. He’s now had some Premier League minutes, but for his development, regular playing time is important. If the squad is in a good place in terms of availability, there’s a chance for him to go out on loan.”
McKenna added that the squad is tight, with clear roles for everyone, and he doesn’t expect many changes over the next couple of weeks unless new signings are made. One such possibility is a loan move for Ali Al-Hamadi, should Ipswich secure another striker.
“We prefer having three centre-forwards,” McKenna explained. “We usually play with two, so if we lose one, we’re short. Ideally, we’ll have Liam Delap, George Hirst, and Ali in the squad, which gives us strong options. If there are any changes, the situation for other players could shift. We’re hopeful George will be fit soon, and that will give us the depth we want.”
Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, who is also part of the 25-man squad, could be another candidate for a loan move. However, McKenna is inclined to keep him at the club until the summer.
“There have been discussions, but Cieran is playing an important role right now. He’ll need senior experience at some point, whether it’s now or in the summer, but he’s improving and playing a good part in the squad,” McKenna said. “Any future discussions will take place between Cieran and us, but for now, he’s playing a key role here.”
‘As far as I’m aware’ – McKenna discusses Philogene and possible loan exits
