Town’s Transfer Targets #3

We’ve covered free-transfers, we’ve covered loan targets; today, we turn to permanent additions. In the past few seasons, investing in the correct areas hasn’t always gone to plan, with Town now “top-heavy” in some areas, according to boss Paul Lambert.

In my opinion, there are three key areas in the Town squad that need to be strengthened heading into next season: central defence, wingers and strikers. In this blog, I’m going to take a look at three additions, from each of those positions, that Town could make to bolster their unbalanced squad.

Gboly Ariyibi – Nottingham Forest

Width and general end product are a must for Ipswich this summer. A lack of creativity and assists from the wide areas hasn’t helped the lack of goals scored by Town’s strikers. Gwion Edwards and Alan Judge provide something different, but Town certainly need more in order to mount a challenge next season. The return of Danny Rowe, currently on loan at Lincoln, excites me, given his pace and power. However, Town need depth in this position and Gboly Ariyibi could be just the man to fill that gap.

Born in the United States, the pacy winger spent his youth career at Southampton before breaking through at Leeds. The American found his feet at Chesterfield, proving a handful for League One defenders. After 83 appearances at Chesterfield, Ariyibi signed for Nottingham Forest and has spent the last 3 season at Northampton, MK Dons and most recently, Motherwell. As you can see, he’s failed to really settle at any club in the past few seasons. Despite this, he still has all the qualities to be a top player in League One.

Ariyibi possess pace, power and a wicked right-foot. While he may not have a keen eye for goal, he can still supply for a front man with dangerous crosses and quick feet. If he can rekindle the fire that burned bright during his time at Chesterfield, Gboly Ariyibi could be an asset to any League One side.

Oliver Hawkins – Portsmouth

A few weeks back, I tuned in to the Checkatrade Trophy Final between Sunderland and Portsmouth. While I’d love to link Town with a Jamal Lowe or Will Grigg, these players are simply out of our price range. Instead, I am going to suggest a player that really impressed me during the final; the man who scored the winning penalty for Pompey, Oliver Hawkins.

Hawkins is a classic target man. Standing at 6 ft 5, the former Dagenham and Redbridge striker possesses power and strength, brushing off defenders with ease. Portsmouth signed the striker from Dagenham in 2017 after the Englishman scored 18 goals in 45 appearances. In his first season in League One, he scored 7 in 31. This season, much like last, he’s managed a further 7 goals, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

While Hawkins most certainly knows where the back of the net is, he can also supply for his team-mates, with his height being his biggest asset (pun most certainly intended.) Hawkins has assisted 7 times this season for Portsmouth, playing in his team-mates with sensational hold-up play.

I’ll concede that Hawkins may not be the answer to the goal-scoring problem at Portman Road, but he could prove to be a real asset, one that wouldn’t break the bank. They aren’t many strikers like Oliver Hawkins.

Tom Lockyer – Bristol Rovers

In terms of young, capable defenders that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, Tom Lockyer ticks all the boxes. Town may have youngsters coming through in the centre-half position, but it’s clear that quality is needed IMMEDIATELY. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like either Toto Nsiala or James Collins are able to maintain the necessary quality for a consistent run of games. Therefore, much like Town did with Adam Webster, they need to pluck a top-star from the lower leagues and nurture them into the squad’s infrastructure.

Bristol Rovers’ star-man Lockyer is a one-time capped international for Wales and has played 215 games for Rovers across League One, League Two and The National League. His leadership qualities are second-to-none, with his command of the back line helping to sure up Bristol Rovers’ leaky defence. His role as a commanding centre-half could see him as an ideal replacement for Luke Chambers, when the current Town captain decides to retire.

Town are reported to make £750,000 if former youngster Matt Clarke is sold from Portsmouth, an amount that would go along way in covering any potential bid for Tom Lockyer. Town need assurance at the back and Lockyer would immediately improve the current sub-par defence.

He may not be the tallest of defenders, but Tom Lockyer is certainly one of the best in League One.

There are many top players in League One. However, we must accept that we just don’t have the financial capabilities that other clubs have, despite dropping down a division. I hope that I have shown, despite the empty purse, that there are still some good quality players that Town could bring in, without breaking the bank.

Lockyer would almost certainly be my top pick from the three, but each of these players would offer something that Town don’t currently have.

The emphasis has been on youth, free transfers and cherry picking loanees. However, adding quality on a permanent basis to be a part of the club’s long-term future, is just as important as harnessing the potential already at the club.