Ilan Kebbal now keen on Premier League move as Ipswich Town enter race

Ipswich Town have now entered the race to sign a “magnificent” player who is eager to make a move to the Premier League.

Ipswich working “behind the scenes” ahead of Premier League return

Ipswich learned the hard way just how difficult it is to stay in the Premier League, finishing 16 points from safety in the 2024-25 season, but chairman Mark Ashton believes they will be better prepared to avoid the drop this time around.

Ashton said: “Mick Court and his team have been working. You’ll have seen some of the names that have joined the club behind the scenes in the scouting and recruitment department. Everything’s building.

“It’s still going to be tough, I’ll repeat it, but I think we’re in a better place than we were last time.”

Liam Delap was perhaps the Tractor Boys’ stand-out player during their previous top flight campaign, with the striker netting 12 Premier League goals and earning a move to Chelsea.

Ahead of the new campaign, Kieran McKenna‘s side have already signed fellow centre-forward Chuba Akpom on a permanent basis, with the 30-year-old joining after meeting performance-related criteria during his loan spell last season.

However, with the London-born striker only managing to net two goals in 29 Championship appearances, it may be important for McKenna to improve his forward line this summer, and a Ligue 1 star has now emerged as a target.

Ipswich enter race to sign “magnificent” forward

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Ipswich have now entered the race to sign Paris FC forward Ilan Kebbal, alongside soon-to-be Premier League rivals Brentford, and a whole host of other unnamed clubs.

There are signs a deal could be possible too, as Kebbal is keen on a move to the Premier League, off the back of a very impressive debut campaign in Ligue 1 with Paris FC.

The four-cap Algeria international spent three years in Ligue 2, before his side were promoted, and he hit the ground running in the top tier, amassing 13 goal involvements.

Stade Brest midfielder Hugo Magnetti has also waxed lyrical about the African forward, saying: “Ilan Kebbal is a magnificent ball player but also a very good ball eater. One day he annoyed me, we pushed each other and the referee gave us 2 red cards. It’s after moments like that that he became like a brother.”

The Marseille-born star is also extremely versatile, having featured on both wings, in the number 10 role and even at centre-forward throughout his career to date.

Ipswich could do with strengthening in attack, given that Akpom didn’t exactly set the world alight last season, and Kebbal has proven he could be a savvy addition to McKenna’s squad.

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