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Ipswich must regret selling “incredible” ace who’s now worth 1100% more
For most Ipswich Town fans, simply reaching the Premier League would be seen as an extraordinary achievement, even if the shadow of relegation looms over Portman Road in the near future.
When Kieran McKenna took charge, the Tractor Boys were stuck in League One, two divisions away from the top tier.
Now, after back-to-back promotions, Ipswich is on the cusp of Premier League survival, with the club’s smart moves in the transfer market further bolstering their remarkable ascent.
Ipswich’s Most Notable Transfers Under Kieran McKenna
Before Kieran McKenna began his first full season at the helm, the summer transfer window saw Leif Davis join from Leeds for just £1 million.
That move has turned out to be a sensational bargain, with Davis now valued at around £21 million, according to Transfermarkt, after contributing 38 assists in 115 appearances for the club.
In addition to Davis, the £20 million signing of Liam Delap has also proven to be a smart acquisition, even though the newly promoted team had to stretch their budget beyond their typical League One level.
Delap, who had previously been with Manchester City, has scored ten goals this season despite Ipswich’s struggles at the bottom of the table.
There are even reports that Delap could be sold for double his original £20 million fee, with Chelsea showing interest.
However, Ipswich’s transfer dealings haven’t been without regrets. The club still rues the decision to let go of homegrown talent Flynn Downes for just £1.5 million back in 2021.
Flynn Downes: A Former Ipswich Player Now Worth 1100% More
Ipswich will likely already be planning for the summer transfer window, considering how they can strengthen the team, depending on whether they remain in the Premier League or face another promotion push.
One player they might have benefitted from having back is Flynn Downes, a former academy graduate.
Although he didn’t make much of an impact during his early years at Portman Road, Downes flourished after leaving his boyhood club.
At both Southampton and Swansea City, Downes proved to be a reliable and composed option in the midfield.
Swansea sold him for a significant profit, receiving £12 million from West Ham United, more than eight times the £1.5 million they paid Ipswich.
While his Premier League stint with West Ham didn’t go as planned, Downes was eventually sold to Southampton for around £18 million, marking an 1100% increase in his value since his days in Wales.
In the 2023/24 season, Downes played a crucial role in helping Southampton secure promotion, averaging an impressive 93% pass accuracy in league matches.
Southampton’s then-manager, Russell Martin, described him as “incredible,” and Ipswich fans must wonder what could have been if they had held on to him longer.
Ipswich even reportedly made a late attempt to bring Downes back to Portman Road during the winter transfer window after he fell out of favor at Southampton.
The lingering regret over his departure is surely still felt, as Downes’ rise to prominence would have been a valuable asset for the Tractor Boys.
