Reported West Ham United target Omari Hutchinson was nowhere to be seen as Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town stepped up their Championship preparations with a friendly victory over Aberdeen on Friday.
Has the England Under-21 international played his final game for the Tractor Boys?
One of the bright sparks of Ipswich Town’s short-lived return to the Premier League, will Omari Hutchinson be back in the big time when the 2025/26 campaign kicks off next month?
West Ham missed out on Liam Delap when Chelsea triggered the £30 million release clause in his Portman Road contract at the beginning of the summer. Graham Potter’s side could yet return to East Anglia, however, with the Daily Mail throwing West Ham United’s name into the frame once again.
Brentford remain determined to secure Hutchinson’s services in the meantime, despite seeing a £35 million bid rejected. EFL Analysis reported this week that Ipswich are holding out for around £40 million.
West Ham’s London neighbours have plenty of cash to splash, however, following Bryan Mbeumo’s initial £65 million switch to Manchester United.
So when Hutchinson missed Friday night’s 3-1 win at Pittodrie, the Chelsea academy graduate was always likely to be the focus of much post-match discussion.
Kieran McKenna explains Omari Hutchinson absence as West Ham United eye Ipswich ace
Speaking to reporters, Kieran McKenna insists that Hutchinson’s absence was not the result of an imminent departure, however.
He has simply been granted an extended summer break following his starring role in England’s second successive Under-21 European Championship triumph in June.
“[The Aberdeen clash came] just a little bit too soon. We’re just building him up gradually,” McKenna says.
“It’s just over three weeks since he played 110 minutes or something like that [in the 3-2 final victory over Germany] at the end of a five-game tournament, so he doesn’t need match minutes yet.
“He’s had a few days’ training this week and hopefully he’ll be in and around one or both of the games next week.”
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An explosive, versatile forward who possesses the speed and ball-carrying ability West Ham lack, Hutchinson’s three Premier League goals last term came against Tottenham, Manchester United and former employers Chelsea.
Liverpool benchwarmer Harvey Elliott has reportedly agreed terms with the Hammers, but a rumoured £50 million price-tag could prove an obstacle too substantial to overcome. Shakhtar Donetsk talisman Georgiy Sudakov laughed off those West Ham links a few days ago, meanwhile.
Hutchinson, then, is a player who could yet emerge as a more attainable, affordable option.
As far as McKenna is concerned, though, there is currently no reason to suggest that a departure is edging closer.
“Me and Omari talk all the time. We’ve got a lovely relationship, we talk about everything,” adds the former Man United assistant. “No, there’s nothing in the air.
“He’s an Ipswich player and he’s training well back at camp and he’ll be ready to join the group next week and we think he’ll be a really important player this year.”
“We’ll see how he’s responded to the few days’ training. He’s trained since we’ve been up here, so we’ll see how he’s responding but I would have thought next week we’ll get him in and around it.”
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