Ipswich Town look ready to go back to the well at Fulham for a second time this summer, with Serbia international Sasa Lukic now firmly on Gary O’Neil’s radar as the club works to bolster a thin midfield ahead of their Premier League return.
Not the First Raid on Craven Cottage
This wouldn’t be an isolated approach. Ipswich have already completed a deal to sign Moroccan defender Issa Diop from Fulham earlier this summer, and according to Sky Sports, the club are now exploring whether a second deal for Lukic can be struck as O’Neil turns his attention to reinforcing the middle of the park.
Why Ipswich Need Him
The urgency is real. Ipswich’s current central options Marcelino Nunez, Cameron Humphreys, Jack Taylor and Azor Matusiwa have been hit hard by fitness issues, with both Taylor and Matusiwa currently working through rehabilitation from surgery. With less than a month until the Premier League season kicks off, that leaves O’Neil dangerously light in an area of the pitch that’s been a longstanding weak point for the club, particularly after loan signings failed to solve the problem during their previous top-flight campaign in 2024/25.
Lukic ticks the box O’Neil is prioritizing above all else: proven Premier League experience. The 29-year-old has made more than 100 appearances for Fulham since arriving from Torino in January 2023, including 92 in the Premier League, and started 20 of his 26 league appearances last season, chipping in with a goal and three assists.
Where Fulham Stand
The timing could work in Ipswich’s favor. Lukic has just 12 months remaining on his current Fulham deal, though the club does hold an option to extend by a further year. With Fulham having signed him for around £8.5 million, reports suggest they could be open to a sale in the £8-10 million range enough to recoup their initial outlay, particularly with only one year of control remaining on his contract.
His path to regular football at Craven Cottage has also become murkier under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa, with Lukic currently competing with Sander Berge and Alex Iwobi for the two central midfield spots, and Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed also in the mix. Whether Arbeloa sees Lukic as part of his long-term plans remains to be seen a question that could ultimately decide whether this move happens at all.
Fulham’s Own Midfield Puzzle
A departure wouldn’t come without consequences for Fulham. Berge has also been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, and if both were to leave, Fulham would be left needing at least one potentially two new holding midfielders, with Reed and Cairney likely forced into stopgap duty until reinforcements arrive.
Bottom line: With dialogue between the clubs already established through the Diop deal, and Fulham’s midfield picture looking increasingly uncertain under Arbeloa, this feels like a transfer with genuine momentum behind it. Whether it gets over the line at Ipswich’s preferred £8-10 million valuation will likely determine how quickly Lukic swaps west London for Suffolk.
