Ipswich Town are now looking to sign a 37-cap England international, who could be a key player in Kieran McKenna’s promotion push, it has been revealed.

Ipswich looking to make new signing after slow start

After being relegated from the Premier League last season, Ipswich were expected to push for an immediate return to the top flight, but it would be fair to say they have made a slow start to the Championship campaign.

The Tractor Boys sit 20th in the standings, having failed to win any of their opening four matches, despite spending heavily in the summer, with Sindre Walle Egeli and Kasey McAteer among their most expensive new signings.

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Despite the poor start, there is still plenty of time for McKenna’s side to turn things around, and Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom believes they will be in the mix for promotion: “They recruited Championship ready players in League One, recruited only one or two more and then went up; didn’t go away from their ethos when they recruited again in the Premier League, and there were moments where we thought they were going to stay up. So, there’s not too much difference there.”

“I think that will hold them in good stead.”

However, according to a report from Spain, Ipswich have already set their sights on another new signing to boost their promotion chances, having joined the race for Dele Alli, who recently became a free agent after leaving Serie A side Como.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have also been credited with an interest in Alli, who has struggled to turn his career around since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, making just one appearance during his time with Como.

The attacking midfielder’s availability without a transfer fee makes him an appealing option, however, with a move to Portman Road offering the 29-year-old the chance to be a key player for a promotion-chasing Championship side.

Alli would be risky signing for Ipswich

At his peak, the former Tottenham star was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 51 Premier League goals during his time in north London, while also cementing himself as an England regular, picking up 37 caps.

Season

PL appearances

Goal contributions

2015-16

33

18

2016-17

37

27

2017-18

36

19

However, due to well-documented personal problems, the Milton Keynes-born midfielder has since struggled to rediscover his best form, having failed to make an impact at Everton, Besiktas or Como.

As such, it would be a gamble for Ipswich to take a chance on the former England regular, especially considering he has also struggled on the injury front, missing a whopping 45 games due to a muscle tear across spells with Everton and Besiktas.

Of course, if Alli were able to get back to his best, he would be a fantastic signing for Ipswich, but it has been a long time since the attacking midfielder was a Premier League star.