“I’d prefer…” - Ipswich Town told to target different Watford star instead of £8m-rated Tom Dele-Bashiru | OneFootball

FLW’s Tractor Boys expert weighs in on the Tom Dele-Bashiru links amid a midfield rebuild.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town are taking a keen interest in signing Watford midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru this summer.

Football League World has exclusively revealed that Ipswich Town are contemplating a fresh bid for the Watford midfielder, following up on interest first registered in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old, who made 27 Championship appearances last season, has just two years remaining on his contract at Vicarage Road - but with Watford reportedly seeking a fee in the region of £8 million, it remains to be seen whether a deal is viable.

The departure of Massimo Luongo and the return of loanees such as Kalvin Phillips and Jens-Lys Cajuste has left Kieran McKenna short of depth in the middle of the park - and the Tractor Boys' summer transfer strategy will be crucial if they are to challenge for the top flight again.

Ipswich Town fan delivers transfer stance on £8m Watford midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru

In light of Dele-Bashiru’s links to the Tractor Boys, Football League World spoke with our Ipswich Town fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, for his thoughts on a potential £8 million deal for the midfielder - and if he was good enough on paper for what Ipswich will need next season.

“Tom Dele-Bashiru links are an interesting one. I think he fits the profile of the type of midfielder that we’d want - he’s fairly tall, quick, physical, something that the midfield’s been lacking,” Wilkin told FLW.

“So, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was on the scouting radar, but I think based on the fact he doesn’t get in - or has been more of a rotation player at Watford - that paying money for him would probably be out of the question, and he would probably be more of a squad option.

“I think we’ve struggled with injury issues a lot this year, so signing another, not necessarily injury-prone, but someone who’s had injuries recently, would be a gamble, especially if that was for money.

“I also - if we were going to go for a Watford midfielder - I’d prefer us to go for Edo Kayembe there. I remember watching him last season, and he had a really good game, and he’s hit very good numbers this season as well.

“So yeah, I don’t think he’s good enough to start, but if he was available at a very, very cut-price as a squad player, he’s potentially someone that McKenna can get the best out of.”

Tom Dele-Bashiru deal would represent calculated risk for Ipswich

Tom Dele-Bashiru fits the mould of the type of player Ipswich may well target: mobile, technical, and capable of playing in a box-to-box role.

However, question marks over his injury record, price tag, and starting XI potential mean that - for fans like Wilkin - any deal would need to be carefully judged.

Kayembe, on the other hand, is more of an attacking midfielder, with the 26-year-old DR Congo international bagging eight goals and one assist from 44 Championship appearances this past season.

Therefore, whilst he is capable of operating as a traditional central midfielder, he could be seen as more competition in the number 10 role for Conor Chaplin.

As Ipswich prepare for a demanding return to the Championship and an impending overhaul in midfield, the club’s recruitment team face a balancing act: ensuring quality additions without overspending.

Whether Dele-Bashiru becomes part of that equation remains to be seen - but he certainly won’t be the last name linked before the window shuts.