Ipswich Town revive interest in Aston Villa winger they nearly signed last summer | OneFootball

Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town have set their sights on Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene as they look to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window.

The Tractor Boys are exploring a potential loan move for the 22-year-old England Under-21 international, rekindling their interest after missing out on his signature during the summer.

Philogene's limited playing time at Villa Park has opened up a fresh opportunity for Ipswich to secure his services, potentially boosting their chances of avoiding relegation.

Ipswich's renewed pursuit

The Suffolk-based club's interest in Philogene dates back to last summer when they had agreed to an £18 million deal with Hull City for the talented winger. However, their plans were disrupted when Aston Villa activated a matching clause to bring the player back to Birmingham.

The move hasn't worked out as expected for Philogene at Villa Park, where he has found himself on the periphery of the first team.

The young winger's struggle for regular playing time under Unai Emery has been evident, with only four starts across all competitions this season. Despite making 11 appearances from the bench and accumulating 535 minutes of game time, Philogene has found it challenging to break into the team ahead of established players like Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey.

Manager Kieran McKenna's Ipswich Town are now looking to capitalise on this situation. While McKenna has been discreet about transfer activities, inside sources indicate that Philogene remains a priority target.

The club has already demonstrated success with loan signings this season, including forward Liam Delap, and hopes to replicate that success with Philogene's potential arrival.

Win-Win scenario for Villa and Ipswich

The proposed loan move appears beneficial for all parties involved. Villa manager Unai Emery has been open about Philogene's difficulties, stating,

A temporary switch could provide Philogene the platform to rebuild his confidence and develop his game in a less demanding environment.

For Aston Villa, loaning out Philogene makes sense both developmentally and financially. The move would allow him to gain valuable Premier League experience while maintaining his market value.

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town would gain a skilled attacker capable of taking on defenders and creating scoring opportunities - crucial attributes in their battle against relegation.

The addition of Philogene could bring vital attacking prowess to Ipswich's squad as they aim to climb out of the Premier League's bottom three. While the outcome of negotiations remains uncertain, the potential move represents a significant opportunity for both clubs and the player to achieve their respective goals in the second half of the season.