Town boss Kieran McKenna says forward Bersant Celina is a player he could see as part of the future of the club, the on-loan Dijon man having recently said he’d like to stay at Portman Road.

Celina, 25, has two years left on his contract with Dijon, who are currently 12th in Ligue 2, but said last week he'd like to come back to Portman Road for what would be a third spell.

McKenna says the Kosovan international has intimated the same when the two have spoken privately.

“I’ve had a few conversations with Bersant and he’s expressed that to me on a personal level as well, which was very pleasing,” he said. “How much he’s enjoying his football and feels part of the club and wants to keep developing with this team and be part of a successful Ipswich team.

“That was pleasing to know. He’s certainly a player I really like. I think his qualities fit really well into the football team and as we develop the team I think he can be more important for us going forward.

“Obviously there’s the football side of it and then there’s also the business side of it, and both things have to match up, and the wishes of the players and the wishes of the club on both sides have to match up.

“There are probably a few discussions to be had over the summer and that’s something that other people at the club will handle apart from me, but Bersant’s a player that I really like, that I enjoy having as part of the team and I could certainly see as part of the future of the club.”

Photo: Matchday Images

BlueRuin69 added 16:32 - Mar 25 Celena is pure class and loves the club, dont know any fan that does not want him to stay, sign him up! Coyb
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PortmanTerrorist added 16:52 - Mar 25 Think both manager and player are only starting to understand what each other needs and wants. He is doig OK by his standards at present, but put Bersant in a stable and suitable position and role in the team, and he would improve us again....should be too good for this league but we are still only seeing that sporadically. AM excited to see what the Boss can do with a pre-season esp for the front line and players like Bersant and Chaplin.

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Saxonblue74 added 19:32 - Mar 25 Can't see Celina being anywhere but Ipswich next season. Both the player and club are making all the right noises. I really hope I'm right!
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Europablue added 02:09 - Mar 26 Saxonblue74 I could easily see Djon thinking that Celina could cut the mustard and take him back, or not be willing to let him go for what we can afford.
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itsonlyme added 08:23 - Mar 26 I would love him to stay. The only downside is he does drift in and out of games and I would love him to get the ball more often and create those splitting passes he is so capable of. Hopefully he will sign full time in the summer.
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:51 - Mar 26 I would like to see him sign for us on a permanent deal, but it will come down to money. Can we afford the fee, can we afford his wages? It is no good spending a fortune on him if it means that other areas of the squad are neglected.
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KernewekBlue added 13:08 - Mar 26 He reminds me a lot of our creative players from days gone by, a Pablo Counago or Martin Reuser type midfielder who can, given the opportunity, turn a game for us and provide chances for our strikers, as well as adding a few goals himself. In my opinion, at just 25 years young, we ought to be striving to sign him up to a long term, permanent contract and let him grow into the important part of our team I think he will prove to be going forward. Whilst promotion out of League One might be a bridge too far for this season, the prospect of getting back to The Championship next term can only be improved by securing the services of Celina. COYB

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