Ornstein: Ipswich Town want to sign £3.5m defender at the top of his game

Ipswich Town are interested in signing a £3.5m World Cup defender who is at the top of his game, according to David Ornstein.

Ipswich Town’s Premier League signings

Following back-to-back promotions from League One under Kieran McKenna, the Tractor Boys have been making every effort to defy the trend and stay in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, despite a brace by Jaden Philogene, Ipswich’s most recent 3-2 loss to 10-player Manchester United at Old Trafford puts them in third place, behind Leicester City and Southampton.

However, Ipswich’s management has supported McKenna in both the summer and January transfer windows, spending a lot of money and acquiring a number of new players.

Now, attention appears to be on the summer window, and a new target has emerged as Ipswich look to add to their defensive ranks.

Ipswich Town want to sign £3.5m defender, says Ornstein

According to reliable transfer reporter Ornstein of The Athletic, relayed by The Celtic Way, Ipswich Town are keen on signing Celtic defender Alistair Johnston, joining Premier League rivals Fulham in the race for a deal.

“I know Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston is generating attention from clubs in England, with Fulham among his admirers. The Canada international recently signed a new contract at Parkhead and isn’t known to be unhappy – but there was firm interest in January.

“From what I hear, it’s not only Fulham but also Ipswich and others who are looking at him. Johnston was longlisted for the Best FIFA Men’s XI last year, so this is probably no surprise, and I’d expect more suitors to emerge from the Premier League and across Europe in the summer.”

After joining Celtic for an initial £3.5 million in January 2023, Johnston has flourished at Parkhead, with his Transfermarkt valuation currently standing at a career-high €9 million.

Johnston, a Canadian international who has played in the World Cup, is a right-back by trade but can also play as a center-back or right midfielder.

Given the 26-year-old’s rising stature, you would think that Ipswich would need to stay in the top division to have a chance of acquiring Johnston, but a trade would be worth watching in the upcoming months.

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