The Tractor Boys are reportedly closing in on the experienced Serbia international as their midfield rebuild gathers pace
Ipswich Town’s relentless summer of Premier League preparation shows no signs of slowing down. According to talkSPORT commentator Ben Jacobs, the Tractor Boys are closing in on a deal for Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic with a medical reportedly on the horizon.
Ipswich Return to Craven Cottage for Round Two
This wouldn’t be Ipswich’s first raid on Fulham this summer. Earlier in the window, the club secured the signature of Morocco international Issa Diop from the Cottagers, and now they appear to be going back for more. Lukic would become the eighth new face through the door at Portman Road this summer under new boss Gary O’Neil and the second central midfield addition of the week alone, following Tuesday’s £16m arrival of Florentino Luis from Burnley.
Why Lukic Fits the Bill
The appeal is obvious on paper. Lukic is a 62-cap Serbian international who has racked up 92 Premier League appearances for Fulham over the past three-and-a-half seasons, having arrived from Torino for an £8.8m fee. He’s been a reliable presence in a Fulham side that has posted four consecutive mid-table Premier League finishes exactly the kind of top-flight experience Ipswich are prioritizing after their swift relegation two seasons ago.
His profile — composed, tactically disciplined, and battle-tested in England’s top division — lines up neatly with what O’Neil has been targeting throughout the window. With Ipswich short in midfield due to Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor both currently working their way back from surgery, the timing of a Lukic arrival couldn’t be better.
The Contract Situation Driving the Deal
Lukic was heading into the final year of his Fulham contract, with the club holding an option to extend by a further 12 months a situation that has clearly opened the door for a sale rather than risk losing him for a reduced fee, or for nothing, further down the line.
A Deal With Momentum
What started as an early-window interest story has rapidly gathered pace. The Athletic reported that Lukic “looks destined” for a move to Suffolk, with reports now suggesting Fulham are simultaneously working on bringing in a replacement midfielder to allow the move to go through smoothly. That kind of parallel business is often the clearest signal a deal is genuinely close.
The Bigger Picture
Lukic’s arrival would underline just how serious Ipswich are about avoiding a repeat of their immediate relegation last time they were promoted. Between the fees already committed this summer and now a second signing prised directly from a fellow Premier League side, O’Neil is building a squad with genuine top-flight know-how running through it not just promotion-winning quality.
With the visit of Sunderland on the opening weekend of the season fast approaching, don’t be surprised if Lukic is unveiled as an Ipswich player within days.
