Ipswich Town have thrown their hat into the ring for Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, joining a genuine transfer scrap with newly-promoted rivals and even overseas suitors circling one of the Premier League’s most sought-after available players.
Why Everton Are Ready to Sell
The trigger behind this whole situation is Everton’s incoming deal for Arsenal’s Christian Norgaard, agreed for around £7 million with a medical set for Tuesday. Brought in as the long-term successor to the departed Idrissa Gana Gueye, Norgaard’s arrival has directly opened the door for Iroegbunam’s exit — TEAMtalk sources confirm Everton are now actively open to offers.
The timing makes sense from Everton’s side too. With Iroegbunam entering the final year of his contract, the Toffees would rather cash in now than risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Ipswich in a Genuine Battle
This won’t be a straightforward chase for Gary O’Neil’s side. Ipswich find themselves competing directly with fellow promoted clubs Hull City and Coventry City, all of whom have made approaches — and TEAMtalk sources confirm two Italian clubs have also entered the picture, adding a genuinely competitive, multi-country dimension to the race.
No formal bids have landed yet, but they’re expected imminently. Given the widely reported £20 million valuation, Ipswich will need to move decisively and be prepared to match a genuinely inflated price tag if they want to win this race — though sources caution that figure hasn’t been independently confirmed as Everton’s actual asking price.
What a Deal Might Look Like
There’s also flexibility in structure worth watching. Everton could be open to a loan agreement, but only if it comes attached with an obligation-to-buy clause — meaning any interested club, Ipswich included, would need to commit to a permanent switch either way rather than a straightforward temporary arrangement.
The Bigger Picture at Goodison Park
Everton’s business away from Iroegbunam is also moving fast, which only adds urgency to this situation. Having already added Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl this summer, and with Norgaard’s arrival imminent, David Moyes is simultaneously closing in on Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston — with Celtic boss Martin O’Neill confirming Moyes has personally made contact. Everton are also reportedly weighing offers for Charly Alcaraz, with River Plate interested.
All of it points to a squad genuinely being reshaped from multiple angles at once — and Iroegbunam’s situation is very much part of that wider picture, not an isolated sale.
Bottom line: With three promoted Premier League rivals and two European clubs all showing genuine interest, Ipswich have real work to do if they want to beat the competition to Iroegbunam. Expect this one to move quickly once formal bids start landing — and with Everton clearly in selling mode, a resolution shouldn’t be far off.
