The two players “most likely” to depart Ipswich Town after Liam Delap’s transfer
Ipswich Town Face Potential Summer Departures After Liam Delap’s £30m Chelsea Move
With Liam Delap completing a high-profile £30 million transfer to Chelsea, attention now turns to which other key players could leave Ipswich Town this summer, as the club prepares for a return to the Championship following their 19th-place Premier League finish.
After a promising yet ultimately short-lived top-flight campaign, Ipswich may have to brace for interest in some of their standout performers, especially from Premier League clubs looking to bolster their squads.
Speaking to Football League World (FLW), Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin weighed in on who could be the next to exit Portman Road—and identified Leif Davis as the most likely candidate.
Leif Davis a Prime Candidate for Exit
Wilkin believes Davis, Ipswich’s dynamic left-back, could be on the move, especially following Rayan Aït-Nouri’s recent transfer from Wolves to Manchester City, which leaves a gap in Wolves’ defense.
“Out of Omari Hutchinson, Dara O’Shea, or Leif Davis, I’d say Davis is most likely to leave,” said Wilkin. “Given the transfer activity among Premier League left-backs, Davis could be a great fit at Wolves.”
Davis had a standout season in the Championship, registering 18 assists and playing a crucial role in Ipswich’s title-winning campaign. While he managed 33 appearances in the Premier League this season—scoring once and assisting twice—interest in him continues to grow.
Nottingham Forest were reportedly linked with Davis earlier in the year, and the 25-year-old has expressed in the past that his dream is to one day play for his hometown club, Newcastle United.
Uncertainty Around Axel Tuanzebe and Squad Players
Wilkin also pointed to contract negotiations that could determine the futures of several squad players, most notably Axel Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess.
“Some of the squad players could also leave,” said Wilkin. “Tuanzebe and Burgess are still in contract talks.”
Tuanzebe, formerly of Manchester United, could be a valuable free-agent pickup for Premier League sides. Wilkin noted, “He’s the kind of player Premier League clubs should be looking at – especially if he’s available on a free.”
Burgess, meanwhile, has reportedly drawn interest from Valencia, with the Spanish side’s CEO, Ron Gourlay, allegedly requesting that the Australian centre-back delay any decisions while they weigh up a move.
Dara O’Shea Commits to Ipswich Amid Transfer Rumours
Not all the news is bleak for Ipswich fans. Defender Dara O’Shea, who has been linked with Wolves and Leeds United, reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
“I’m fully committed to Ipswich at the moment. I want to help get the club back into the Premier League,” O’Shea said during international duty with Ireland.
O’Shea, who was recently named Ipswich’s Player of the Year, looks set to remain a key figure in the squad for now.
Wolves Continue Left-Back Search
Although Hugo Bueno is expected to return from his loan spell at Feyenoord, Wolves are reportedly still looking to strengthen their left-back options, according to BBC Sport—making Davis an even more attractive prospect.
Ipswich’s Summer Outlook: Rebuilding Amid Rising Interest
The sale of Delap has already provided Ipswich with a significant financial boost heading into the Championship season. However, further key departures—like Davis or Tuanzebe—could complicate plans for an immediate promotion push.
The club will hope to hold onto its core squad, but if Premier League or even La Liga opportunities come calling, more exits may be difficult to avoid.
