x

Grays Striker Oli Linked - Ipswich Town News

Town are reported to be keeping an eye on Grays Athletic striker Dennis Oli. The 21-year-old has been one of the stars of the Essex club's superb first ever season in the Football Conference and is expected to move into league football sooner rather than later.

Oli started his career at QPR but was released in the summer of 2004 having made 30 appearances without netting and having had loan spells at Gravesend and Northfleet (five games, no goals) and Farnborough (four games, no goals).

A trial at Swansea saw the Forest Gate-born striker make one appearance as a sub before he joined Cambridge for a month, scoring once in five games, prior to moving to Grays in November last year and helping them to the Conference South and FA Trophy double.

Over the summer Oli was linked with a move to Southend who had previously signed two other ex-Grays men, the prolific Freddy Eastwood and winger Mitchell Cole. Grays boss Mark Stimson doesn't stand in the way of his players moving into league football but said after the Shrimpers' interest that Oli would command a six-figure fee.

Elsewhere, Town have missed out on signing 17-year-old Canadian midfielder Keegan Ayre, who has joined Tony Mowbray's Hibernian on a two-and-a-half year contract.

Ayre's agent Alec McLaughlin confirmed that the Blues were amongst the clubs interested, but says the offer from Hibs was too good to turn down: "He has been given a decent contract for a 17-year-old. If we weren't happy with it he wouldn't have signed because we had West Bromwich Albion in the background, we had Ipswich in the background and he has already been to Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday."

Town are also reported to have been one of the clubs tracking Wycombe striker Nathan Tyson who has joined Nottingham Forest on loan with a view to signing permanently for £750,000.

What to read next:

Let's Make it a Trilogy, Graphic Designer Publishes Third Book of Town Illustrations
Graphic designer Marcus Parrott is publishing his illustrations recording each Town Premier League game over the course of the season in a new book, completing a trilogy following on from similar collections from the previous two campaigns.
Hallgrimsson: Delap Didn't Tell Me to F**k Off!
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has revealed he recently met Blues striker Liam Delap to sound him out about switching international allegiance.
U21s to Face Brightlingsea Regent in Pre-Season
Town’s U21s will play a friendly against Brightlingsea Regent at their North Road ground on Saturday 19th July (KO TBC).
Town Linked With Manchester City Striker Mubama
Town are reported to have made an enquiry to Manchester City regarding striker Divin Mubama.
Chelsea Trigger £30m Delap Release Clause
Chelsea have triggered the £30 million relegation release clause in Blues striker Liam Delap’s contract.
Town Keen to Loan Chelsea Striker Guiu
Town are reportedly keen to sign Chelsea striker Marc Guiu on loan as part of the deal which will see Liam Delap move to Stamford Bridge.
Delap Chelsea Move Edging Closer
Town striker Liam Delap’s move to Chelsea is edging closer with other interested parties reportedly having been told the frontman has made a decision on his destination.
Hallgrimsson: Sore Ankle Led to Szmodics Withdrawal
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson says Blues forward Sammie Szmodics withdrew from his squad having felt some soreness in his ankle after coming on late in the final Town game of the season against West Ham on Sunday.
U21s Friendly at Long Melford
Town’s U21s will play a friendly at Long Melford on Tuesday 22nd July (KO 7.45pm).
Szmodics Withdraws From Irish Squad
Blues forward Sammie Szmodics has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for their June internationals.