Town are reported to have opened negotiations with Chelsea regarding the permanent signing of former loanee Omari Hutchinson.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that a Blues offer was expected with the 20-year-old, who has been training ahead of pre-season overseas, still to make a decision on his future.

Now, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the clubs have opened negotiations with boss Kieran McKenna’s decision to stay at Portman Road said to be a key factor.

The deal, worth £22 million, is expected to include a sell-on clause but no buyback with discussions continuing. Talks regarding personal terms are also said to be under way.

VfB Stuttgart were widely linked earlier in the summer along with Dutch giants Ajax but while not dead, their interest is believed to have waned recently.

Jamaica international Hutchinson made a huge impression on loan as Town won promotion to the Premier League, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award after netting 11 times and picking up six assists in his first senior season.

Earlier in the summer, Chelsea took up an option to extend Hutchinson’s contract until the summer of 2026.

If the deal is agreed, it would be a new Town transfer record, surpassing the £4.8 million paid to Sampdoria for keeper Matteo Sereni in the summer of 2001.

Photo: Matchday Images

Tommy_ITFC added 18:50 - Jun 27 Pay up Mark
-4

whosroundisitanyway added 18:53 - Jun 27 Bring him home.
1

mickcosh added 18:56 - Jun 27 Signing up now We need this done as soon as possible. Up the blues
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NabilAbidallah added 19:00 - Jun 27 get it done!!
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Wacko added 19:08 - Jun 27 Three days before PRP deadline
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ghostofescobar added 19:19 - Jun 27 As well as being great to bring him home, would be a great statement signing to attract others to the club.
6

Len_Brennan added 19:47 - Jun 27 The first few days of next week are going to be epic!
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Gforce added 19:48 - Jun 27 It's looking positive, fingers crossed we see him holding up the blue shirt in the next few days.
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FreddySteady added 19:56 - Jun 27 How does an Italian journalist get this scoop? Italian agents?
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1960H added 20:16 - Jun 27 Bring it on!
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Marcus added 20:18 - Jun 27 @Freddy - he has a reputation and has won awards as a journalist specialising in European top level transfer news. I believe he works for Sky Sports Italy. If he's implying a deal is progressing, it almost certainly is.
3

Help added 20:55 - Jun 27 What's with all these buy back clauses in contracts now?
0

BuckieBlue added 21:01 - Jun 27 Any new signing usually carries risk of whether a player will settle/play to his form at previous club, but non of that with Omari- he likes life at PR, no time needed to get used to his new club's style/manager/players....ideal first major signing of summer.
2

churchmans added 21:16 - Jun 27 This is good news! This would ge a superb signing Must be true if romano is reporting it just need the 'let's go'
0

dirtydingusmagee added 21:45 - Jun 27 if the deal is done it will be great, Ashton knows his stuff and wont be mugged by Chelsea.
1

victorysquad added 21:59 - Jun 27 This deal is a no brainer for all parties. Omari needs regular 1st team football to reach his potential so if chelsea have sell on clause they reduce the risk of this being like palmer man city situation. But chelsea cannot have it both ways, either sell on clause is good or the initial up front is high, it cannot be both
1

have_a_word_with_him added 22:33 - Jun 27 Loved at Town by fans, manager and squad, please let this happen!
0

SohoBlue added 22:47 - Jun 27 Omari...oh oh. Ohmari, oh-oh-oh-oh. Omari, we love you, we do. Omari, we love you, we do. It would be an honour to have you back. True Towen Blue.
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scooby added 23:22 - Jun 27 Fingers crossed we get this done. Oozers class and hopefully will continue to progress. Quality in his favourite position but the versatility he has along with the potential capability to impact games from different areas and positions can only be a positive
0

apnorman23 added 23:26 - Jun 27 As previously explained, as West Ham/Ipswich Supporter, this would be an amazing signing for ITFC. Ben Johnson is a coop too. He is raw, but can play RB, LB, CH, MID and WINGER. 24, yes, but prone to a mistake or 2. Great fitness, great speed, worthy addition too. As for 2 Hull lads (CH and RW) both West Ham have been quoted as north of £20 million. Ain't worth that. Barkley from Luton also would be an extremely good addition. He hasn't signed yet for Villa as they are playing the lets get our finances in order before Sunday night game with Chelsea..

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blues1 added 23:33 - Jun 27 Wacko. The PSR( it's not prp), deadline for accounts to be submitted is the 1st March, not the 1st July. So any deal we do now are in next years accounts, not this years
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Theipswich added 07:51 - Jun 28 Sig.Romano is a respected Italian journalist but the Italians in the football sphere have a very speculative nature and whilst there is no doubt some truth in the story, he is still a little far off the mark. Here in Italy, the Omar story is still conjecture and on the rumour mill......hopefully there will be real movement in the story but take it with a pinch of salt at the moment...

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planetblue_2011 added 08:44 - Jun 28 Bring him back here, getting very excited. This is the transfer to get over the line.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:47 - Jun 28 Bring it on!
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RedDust added 09:17 - Jun 28 My prediction now…. He signs behind close doors and we reveal the new kit for next season with him wearing it as a way to say he’s signed. *Goosebumps*
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