Ipswich Town pursuing £18m “machine” eager for a January exit from current club

Ipswich Town are already planning for January signings to boost their chances of Premier League survival, with a Premier League midfielder reportedly in their sights.

The team recently celebrated their first Premier League win of the season, defeating Tottenham 2-1 in North London. Sammie Szmodics opened the scoring with an impressive acrobatic shot, and Liam Delap added a second on a counter-attack. Despite Rodrigo Bentancur narrowing the scoreline 20 minutes from time, Ipswich held on for a crucial three points, lifting them out of the relegation zone at Crystal Palace’s expense. The win sparked hopes for a positive run of results.

On repeat. 🔄🚲#TOTIPS pic.twitter.com/bMUXUVNOQe

— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) November 10, 2024

Ipswich’s next five fixtures are challenging, including matches against Manchester United (home), Nottingham Forest (away), Crystal Palace (home), Bournemouth (home), and Wolves (away).

Reflecting on the victory, manager Kieran McKenna remarked, “It’s been 22 years since the fans saw a Premier League win. This is a special day. We feel we’ve been improving, and this win validates that progress. It’s a massive moment to cherish.” With renewed momentum, Ipswich’s attention is turning toward strengthening the squad in January, particularly in midfield.

Ipswich is reportedly interested in Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, who has struggled for game time under manager Arne Slot. The Japanese midfielder has yet to start a Premier League or Champions League match this season, with Ryan Gravenberch preferred in his position. Limited to just 20 minutes across 13 league and European matches, Endo has featured only in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup games. According to *CaughtOffside*, Endo is “seeking a new club” in January, with Liverpool ready to accept a fee of £12.5m-£15m (€15-18 million).

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp once praised Endo as a “machine,” emphasizing his defensive skills and exceptional football intelligence. Alongside Ipswich, Premier League clubs Wolves and Fulham are also reportedly interested in the 31-year-old.

Central midfield remains an area for Ipswich to reinforce. Captain Sam Morsy, though performing consistently, is now 33, while Kalvin Phillips, on loan at Portman Road, has yet to make the expected impact.