What a ride it’s been for Ipswich Town, from languishing in League One, the Tractor Boys are now looking forward to a second Premier League campaign in three seasons. How things can change.
Of course, it won’t be Kieran McKenna leading the club back into the promised land this time around, with Gary O’Neil the man tasked with steering the newly-promoted side to safety.
Where once that challenge appeared almost impossible, Leeds United and Sunderland showcased last term that going up and staying up is achievable, with hope renewed for Ipswich, Coventry City and Hull City heading into 2026/27.
Getting it right on the recruitment front is likely to be the key for that trio, the Portman Road side enjoying a particularly busy week after the signings of Issa Diop and Abdul Fatawu, with Daizen Maeda soon set to follow.
What Ipswich can expect from Daizen Maeda next season
Is there a more unique player in world football than Maeda?
As someone who has covered Celtic extensively over recent years, the Japanese speedster is truly a joy to watch, the type of player who could instantly secure cult status in English football.
At times he might well be the best-worst footballer going, but for every missed opening or errant pass, there is often a moment of magic to follow.
Indeed, the 28-year-old did end 2025/26 having led the way in the Scottish Premiership for ‘big chances’ missed, yet was also almost singlehandedly responsible for dragging Martin O’Neill’s men to the title, after netting seven goals in just the final five league games of the campaign.
The best of the bunch was undoubtedly the former Yokohama man’s outrageous overhead kick in the Glasgow derby, a crowning moment for a forward who has achieved almost god-like status at Parkhead.
For a fee of around £10m, Ipswich and O’Neil could well be getting themselves a bargain, with Maeda having scored 50 club goals across the last two seasons combined.
That’s before even mentioning his relentless work ethic and pressing ability, with a fair few Premier League defenders likely to endure some chastening afternoons next season.
A real coup the Celtic talisman could prove to be, although he isn’t the only target on the agenda for O’Neil and co.
Ipswich ready to rival Hull City for £11m signing
It’s no real surprise that both Ipswich and Hull have been fishing in the same pool this summer, with the former notably pouncing to secure the signing of Toulouse striker Emersonn, ahead of their newly-promoted rivals.
The reverse has seemingly occurred with regard to Japanese midfielder, Hidemasa Morita, the 31-year-old now set to sign for the Tigers despite having been a notable target for Town.
The two clubs are also going head to head it would appear for the signing of Swiss striker, Breel Embolo, with Onze Mondial reporting that both clubs have held talks, after expressing their interest in the 29-year-old.
MLS side Atlanta United are willing to make an offer for the Stade Rennais man, although it is said that Embolo – who left Monaco on a €13m (£11m) deal last year – favours a move to the Premier League.
He has no preference between Hull or Ipswich, although for the latter, this could prove an even bigger coup than signing Maeda, particularly considering what he has already achieved at Europe’s elite level.
In Maeda’s case, the only real concern is whether he can translate his rampant Premiership form to England, with former teammate and compatriot, Kyogo Furuhashi, notably enduring a miserable time of it at Birmingham City, scoring just one Championship goal last term after previously scoring 85 in 165 in Glasgow.
While Embolo hasn’t tried his luck in English football either, he has at least impressed across Europe’s top five leagues, with Maeda’s time before Celtic seeing him only ply his trade back in Japan.
It must be said, Embolo hasn’t been nearly as prolific as late, but he has scored goals wherever he’s been, including ten in just 34 at Rennes in 2025/26.
Be it at Monaco, Schalke, Basel or Borussia Monchengladbach, the in-demand marksman typically boasts a one in three or one in four average, while also proving rather consistent on the international scene.
Embolo – Career Record | ||
|---|---|---|
Team | Games | Goals |
Gladbach | 106 | 25 |
Basel | 90 | 31 |
Monaco | 89 | 22 |
Schalke | 61 | 12 |
Rennes | 34 | 10 |
Switzerland | 92 | 26 |
Now up to 92 caps for Switzerland, the £11m man has scored 26 times for his country to date, alongside registering 20 assists, notably scoring twice in his third World Cup this summer. Maeda, meanwhile, scored just once for Japan over recent weeks.
The Cameroon-born striker is a true number nine, a real physical focal point when leading the line for both club and country.
Managing to win the race for his signature, ahead of Hull, would mark a fine way to head into the new season for O’Neil’s side.
