Ipswich Town have also made a bid to sign an international defender following their move for Julio Enciso from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ipswich Town busy in January
The Tractor Boys and Kieran McKenna have been busy so far in the January transfer window, with a number of new faces arriving at Portman Road.
The first to sign was centre-back Ben Godfrey who arrived on loan from Atalanta, with Jaden Philogene quickly following him through the door, signing permanently from Aston Villa.
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Speaking of more signings, McKenna said last week: “We’ll try, if we can find the quality that can improve us. I think our depth is pretty good now. “If we can get everyone back in shape, our depth is fine.
“But if we can add quality that can help the starting eleven, or quality that can help from the bench, then we will certainly try to do that – but only if the right players are available who can really push us forward.”
Now, one more loan has been secured for attacking midfielder Brighton Encis. There is no option to buy the Seagulls gem at the end of the season, but he could prove to be a shrewd signing, especially as Manchester United reportedly made a late attempt to sign him via Ipswich.
There were reports that McKenna and Ipswich could make up to five signings this month, with the arrival of a centre-back, a winger and an attacking midfielder, attention has seemingly turned to a new full-back.
Ipswich Town make a bid for Elias Jelert
According to reports in Turkey, as reported by Sport Witness, Ipswich Town have made an offer for Galatasaray defender Elias Jelert. The 21-year-old can leave his current employers for the right price, with Galatasaray looking to recoup the €9m (£7.6m) they paid for Jelert last summer.
However, Ipswich’s bid appears to be below that figure, with the report stating: “If the red and yellow are willing to lose money on a Danish player in whom they invested 9 million euros, this transfer will happen.”
Jelert, a member of the Danish national team, has recently been linked with Everton as potential replacements for Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young.
However, it’s Ipswich who appear to have made the first move, with Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig being eyed for Jelert in 2023, describing him as a “complete full-back”.
primarily a right-back, Jelert can also play at left-back or right-midfield so should offer plenty of versatility to McKenna’s side if he joins.
He made 25 appearances in all competitions for Galatasaray, but only started six of them. He looks set to be one to keep a close eye on ahead of the deadline, with Jelert potentially rivaling the likes of Leif Davis, Conor Townsend, Ben Johnson and Harry Clarke at fullback.
