Ipswich Town are interested in signing centre back Dan Ballard and midfielder Pierre Ekwah from Sunderland in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to a report from TBR Football, who say the Tractor Boys are keen to take advantage of their knowledge of the Championship this summer.
After a memorable season that saw the club secure a second consecutive promotion, they are now preparing for life back in the Premier League, after more than 20 years away.
There will of course, be a need to strengthen Kieran McKenna’s squad if they are to be competitive in the top-flight of English football again next season.
Now it seems as though Ipswich have already identified two potential options who are currently on the books at The Stadium of Light, who could help them to do just that.
Ipswich eyeing Sunderland duo
As per this latest update, the Tractor Boys are keen to sign both Ballard and Ekwah from Sunderland once the summer transfer window officially opens again next month.
It is thought that the Championship promotion are keen to use their knowledge of the division to drive their recruitment in the transfer window this summer.
Ipswich will apparently target players who they feel can make the step-up to the Premier League with them.
It is claimed that has led to them planning moves to sign both Ballard and Ekwah from Sunderland this summer.
The duo will reportedly also be the subject of interest from elsewhere, and so Ipswich are said to be keen to do move fast in order to secure their services.
Ekwah joined Sunderland from West Ham back in January 2023. Since then, the midfielder has made 60 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats, scoring five goals and providing two assists in that time.
Ballard meanwhile, has three goals and one assist in 66 games since moving from Arsenal in the summer of 2022.
Both players have just over three years remaining on their contracts with their current club, securing their futures at The Stadium of Light until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Sunderland will therefore be in a strong position to respond to any offers that could come in for the pair from Ipswich in the summer transfer window.
For their part, the Black Cats finished an underwhelming 16th place in the final Championship standings this season, after a campaign in which they got through three different managers.
Championship standings 2023/24
Team
P
GD
Pts
9
Coventry City
46
11
64
10
Preston North End
46
-11
63
11
Bristol City
46
2
62
12
Cardiff City
46
-17
62
13
Millwall
46
-10
59
14
Swansea City
46
-6
57
15
Watford
46
0
56
16
Sunderland
46
-2
56
Ekwah and Ballard could be good additions at Portman Road
It does feel as though the signings of Ekwah and Ballard could prove to be useful ones for Ipswich to make this summer.
Both players have impressed in the Championship at what is a relatively early stage of their careers, suggesting they ought to be capable of making the move to the Premier League in the future.
As a result, they may be useful assets for the Tractor Boys when they return to that level next season.
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