Ipswich Town: Lee Hendrie on Omari Hutchinson to Leeds United rumours
Former Premier League midfielder Lee Hendrie has tipped Omari Hutchinson to leave Ipswich Town amid reported interest from Leeds United.
CaughtOffside have reported that Daniel Farke’s side are making the 21-year-old ‘one of their top targets’, having secured a return to the top flight on Easter Monday.
With Ipswich returning to the Championship, many expect that summer departures are inevitable. Striker Liam Delap has been linked with most of the top clubs in Europe, while Sky Sports have reported that Fulham are keen on signing Ben Johnson.
Hutchinson spent last season on loan at Portman Road from Chelsea, making a permanent move in the summer for a club-record fee. He has registered three goals and two assists in 27 Premier League games this season.
Speaking to Football League World, Hendrie argued that the versatile attacker will be determined to play at the highest level, having watched Luton Town battle relegation to League One after dropping out of the Premier League.
“I think that will [a potential exit] be the case with a lot of the players who have had a taste of Premier League football, Omari Hutchinson being one of them,” he said.
“The likes of Delap, a lot of these players you feel might get an opportunity. I think we saw that last season with Luton, obviously they got relegated and a lot of their players were getting linked away from the football club.
“I think it really dejected the club in so many elements because lots of players were disappointed they couldn’t go, and that was a counter-effect on the way Luton’s season went.
“Lots of teams now have seen some of these players come up against top Premier League sides and perform, Hutchinson is one of them. Bright sparks and potential, it might be one of the clubs that are going up that might take a fancy and a hit on him.
“He’s had a decent season himself and I’m always concerned about teams getting relegated who have key player, because that’s when you find they walk out the door as they see potential of being back in the Premier League.”
