Ipswich Town have hit the jackpot in the summer of 2024 as they bid to sign midfielder Jack Clarke from Sunderland for a £15m transfer fee.
That may not have looked likely after he failed to score in 32 Premier League appearances in his first season in East Anglia, but he proved his worth in the 2025/26 campaign.
Clarke was one of the stars of the Championship season with a return of 16 goals in 46 games for Ipswich as they finished second and were promoted to the top flight.
The English forward created ten 'big chances' and averaged 6.32 xA, showing his creative abilities, but his team-mates let him down with poor finishing, meaning he only registered one assist.
Clarke will get another chance to show the world that he can compete at Premier League level next season with Kieran McKenna's side.
Ipswich confident of beating Sunderland to £20m star
Having already snapped up the 25-year-old wizard from Sunderland, the Bulldozer Boys are looking to pounce on their rivals for a potential new Clarke.
Both clubs are said to be looking for a Championship midfielder who can score and create goals regularly, like the current Suffolk-based star.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, Ipswich Town are confident they can complete a deal to sign Millwall striker Femi Azeez in next summer's transfer window.
The reporter says that the Bulls are the leading team in the race to sign the Championship striker, after they failed in their efforts to sign him in January.
Nixon added that McKenna's side are hoping to strike a deal with the Lions for between £15m and £20m for the 24-year-old.
In March it was reported that Sunderland, Leeds, and Brighton are among the teams facing Ipswich for his signature.
How Femi Azeez can be the new Jack Clarke
Ipswich signed Clarke after a string of 15 goals and four assists in Sunderland's 2023/24 Championship campaign, as he proved himself to be at his best in the second tier.
Azeez is now in the same position at Millwall after being named in the Championship team of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign, thanks to a return of 11 goals and seven assists.
|
Bravery |
Clarke (23/24) |
Aziz (25/26) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
40 |
37 |
|
xG |
11.43 |
8.47 |
|
Goals |
15 |
11 |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
12 |
18 |
|
xA |
9.77 |
9.12 |
|
It helps |
4 |
7 |
His numbers are not very similar to what Clarke produced for Sunderland before Ipswich paid £15m to sign him, even though he is a left-footer and not a left-footer.
The Nigerian star can be as successful as the star of the Tractor Boys, making his xG and creating high quality chances regularly, and they can play in the same team on either side.
Azeez ranks in the top 2% for 'big chances' created (18) among right-back winners in the Championship, while also ranking in the top 7% for dribbles completed (47) and top 3% for chances created (67), further demonstrating his attacking quality.
However, Ipswich needs players who can follow the path and protect the team because it will be in the race for relegation in the Premier League next season.
Among his peers participating in the league, Azeez ranks in the top 4% in duels won (144), top 9% in defensive contributions (101), top 3% in possession won in the final third (30), and top 7% in clearances made (33).
The Nigerian striker is more than willing to get stuck in to help his team defend, making key interventions to help his defenders, which is why he would be a sensible addition to a team that is battling relegation.
All in all, Azeez looks to be the best player for Ipswich as he echoes Clarke who can provide quality on and off the ball, which is why Sunderland should be disappointed to lose the race to sign the striker.
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