AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has confirmed Town’s interest in striker Ali Al-Hamadi and admits it’s “head-turning” for the 21-year-old.

The Blues are understood to have made an offer in excess of £1 million for Al-Hamadi, while the Dons are claimed to want more than £2 million.

The 6ft 2in tall striker, currently in Qatar with Iraq’s Asian Cup squad, joined Wimbledon on a free transfer from Wycombe Wanderers in January last year and the Chairboys would be due 25 per cent of whatever fee the Wombles achieve for the one-time Tranmere and Swansea trainee.

In addition to the Blues, we understand other clubs are also keen on the Liverpool-raised frontman but as it stands Town are the front-runners.

It’s not anticipated any move will be completed before Iraq face Jordan at the Asian Cup on Monday.

“There has obviously been big interest in Ali,” Jackson, who played alongside Town boss Kieran McKenna at Tottenham, told the South London Press after his side’s 2-1 home victory over nine-man Mansfield this afternoon. “He’s away with Iraq, so it’s a difficult one to navigate.

“When you have a player like that doing what he does, he’s going to attract interest. When a club like Ipswich come in, it’s obviously head-turning for the lad.

“It’s something we’re going to have to navigate in the coming days. I have always wanted to keep him – he’s the best striker in the league.

“But when you have the best striker in the league, clubs who can offer you life-changing money come in for you. That changes the landscape completely where the lad is concerned.

“I’d rather you assemble the squad at the end of August and that was you until the end of the season.

“We’re the hunted, aren’t we? We’re not the hunters because of where we’re at. When you have an asset like that, unfortunately, a lot of clubs want to take him – that’s the nature of football.

“A deal has to be done between clubs – it’s not any one thing. We have to see how it pans out over the coming days.

“When a team like that come in and are doing what they’re doing – and can offer you the opportunity to play at a certain level – a team at the top of the Championship, who might be going up the Premier League, is going to be a head-turner.”

Photo: Imago Images Sports

Gforce added 19:55 - Jan 27 Hopefully an offer of about 1.25 million + add ons will seal the deal.We need to get this one over the line asap,before one of our rivals nicks him.
3

RobsonWark added 20:07 - Jan 27 Gforce do you know anything about him? Why do we need to sign him? I've never heard of him.
1

BarryKnightsRedcard added 20:29 - Jan 27 After todays shambles of a display we need to actually make sure we get something done in the transfer market. 38 shots and only 1 goal is a pitiful return
4

HopefulBlue69 added 20:43 - Jan 27 He's done well in L2 but let's be honest, the defenders in L2 are not the guys he'll up against week in week out if he comes to us.. Hurst doesn't score many but is skillful in keeping the ball and bring our other forwards into the game. That's where we are lacking currently ie without that role we're not playing the game which took us to 2nd spot. If he can do the Hurst role great but is that the role he plays now... I don't think so

4

Gforce added 21:17 - Jan 27 Robsonwark.........I have to admit I've only seen him on league 2 highlight shows and YouTube.But from what I've seen,he has good pace and holds the ball up very well and he certainly knows where the net is,albeit at league 2 level. Definitely an upgrade on Jackson & Ladapo.
2

ArchiRob added 21:26 - Jan 27 He is an intelligent player, fast, a handful for defenders who at 21 has a lot of potential, who will improve under KM he has a lot of assists and is good at interceptions but may need time to adapt to the league and our system
10

badadski added 21:48 - Jan 27 Seen him a couple of times - one in the cup game Before we knocked them out and he looked a real handful. I think he could Be really good in our team.
5

algarvefan added 21:57 - Jan 27 He's young and obviously able, scoring often is an instinct rather than which league you are in, I have watched him on You Tube he has great potential, but I would also like an experienced striker in too.
8

Karlosfandangal added 22:36 - Jan 27 Can he step up to Championship immediately…………or will he need time…. If Town go up is he ready to play Prem football. I think we need a striker who has scored goals in the Championship or even the Prem. Town need goals now not in six months time
6

Karlosfandangal added 23:03 - Jan 27 Maximillian Entrup will be Towns next striker.
1

bobble added 23:17 - Jan 27 he is currently playing for a better team than us ,Iraq, who have just beaten Japan ,one of the top 10 football nations in the world.............
2

bluearmy78 added 23:46 - Jan 27 This is what a lad said who I know, he’s a defender for Swindon Top striker! One of the best I’ve played against. Quick, strong, powerful, aggressive and got the right kind of arrogance about him. Really like him
3

PhuketPete added 00:53 - Jan 28 In this window you take what you can get esp when only three days left. So if this young lad is good enough for KMc, he should be good enough for all of us - although suspect FMC still also wants an experienced stop gap striker - if one is available. Wider question… does the game really need a winter transfer window?? Is it worth the disruption?
1

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 01:21 - Jan 28 Good report from an Oxford City fan (from his time at Bromley in 2022) "Quick, presses well. Gets in the right place at the right time but not best conversion rate. Works hard, never gives up and is tenacious".
1

churchmans added 10:19 - Jan 28 Fffs really! @becarefullwhatyouwishfor you saw a good report from an Oxford City fan from his time at Bromley! Jesus christ
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churchmans added 10:54 - Jan 28 I think everybody is blind! Did you not the see the goals yesterday?? What do we see every week! Goals conceded!! Why in the hell are we not looking at defenders?
0

Razor added 11:03 - Jan 28 We must have a few bob in the bank------lets go for Morgan Whittaker or Sam Smodics
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Nomore4 added 12:33 - Jan 28 Razor we can’t spend £10m on either unfortunately…..
2

mathiemagic added 16:25 - Jan 28 @churchmans - I totally agree with needing defenders but we also do need a Hirst replacement as we cant score more than one against a team 98 places below us. Been a great season so far but the wheels could easily fall of the tractor if we are not careful.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 16:34 - Jan 28 we cant buy players that are not available , the pool is very limited , that and other limiting factors has to be realised .
1

jabberjackson added 18:49 - Jan 28 There's nothing wrong with the quality of our defenders, it is what comes with our style of play We press to try and create openings, we defend high to create chances, and losing the odd goal is a by-product of this But we don't lose very many games... Would you prefer we defended McCArthy style, and scored much fewer goals?
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