McKenna tosign “fantastic” £0 star to replicate the Sarmiento masterclass

After a stunning promotion from the previous season, Ipswich Town will undoubtedly already be aware that it will require an enormous effort from everyone at Portman Road to stay in the Premier League.

When the 2024–2025 season kicked off, no one anticipated the Tractor Boys to be facing off against teams like Arsenal and Manchester City. However, they accomplished the incredible feat of back-to-back promotions to earn their spot at the elite table after spending some time stranded at League One.

In order to give Ipswich a shot of survival, Kieran McKenna and company must now bring in new players. As a result, this commanding Championship center-back may soon arrive.

Ipswich hopes to attract a top free agent

After failing to reach an agreement on a new Baggies deal, star center-back Cedric Kipre has reportedly “resigned” to the notion that he will be departing the Hawthorns this summer to join a new suitor as a free agent, according to a story in the Express and Star.

For those who have ties to Carlos Corberan’s team, this will be devastating news, but it’s good news for teams like Ipswich, who are now interested in signing the former Wigan Athletic player and will be able to strengthen their defense in an effort to compete better in the Premier League.

57 goals leaked by the Tractor Boys in the Championship last season is concerning, but opposition were frequently fooled by Ipswich’s abundance of explosive forward players due to their enthusiastic attitude in the division. They will understand, though, that strengthening the back four is a vital goal for the English division.

It is evident what the goal is for bodies to be brought into the building in Suffolk this off-season after interest in Joe Rodon and Cameron Carter-Vickers for Kipre’s center-back position in the past.

"Even for the Championship this is extraordinary!" 🤯

Ipswich Town have won it at the last! WOW! 😲 pic.twitter.com/oEXm6mQbYY

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 1, 2024

What Kipre could provide Ipswich

Ipswich might pull off another brilliant move if they sign another of West Brom’s best players, similar to their loan transfer for Jeremy Sarmiento, who left the team after a poor spell and went on to win promotion with the Tractor Boys.

The incredible goal the Ecuadorian attacker scored against Southampton below more than validated McKenna and Co.’s move to sign the former Baggies player, who had just finished his time at West Brom, last season. Sarmiento contributed to Ipswich’s yet another thrilling league victory.

Kipre will be hoping to play just as important a role in helping his new employers accomplish the difficult task of remaining in the Premier League despite moving to Suffolk.

When comparing Kipre’s regular Championship season stats to those of Ipswich’s defensive mainstays, Cameron Burgess and Luke Woolfenden, the 6′ 4″ defender would offer fierce competition if he were signed to a defensive position, as the underdogs appear to be more defensively sound for the quality increase.

Josh Bunting, a football journalist, had called Kipre a “fantastic” second-tier defender. Given his impressive performance with West Brom in the previous campaign, Kipre will believe he deserves a chance to prove himself in the higher league with McKenna’s team.

In the unlikely event that Ipswich prevails against all the odds, Kipre’s free transfer signing—which allowed him to become an overnight hero—will be remembered as a wise business decision.