Town and Chelsea are understood to have agreed the deal which will see Omari Hutchinson return to Portman Road on a permanent basis.

News that the clubs were in negotiations regarding last season’s star loanee first emerged last night but with the move evidently having progressed further than it initially appeared.

Now, as per a number of media outlets, an agreement regarding a deal has been reached with TWTD sources indicating the same. According to The Athletic, the fee is an initial £20 million plus another £2.5 million in top-ups plus a sell-on of 25 per cent.

There is no buyback but it's understood matching rights are guaranteed when it comes to a future sale, although with the decision ultimately up to the player. The forward’s previous club Arsenal will receive a sell-on of 15-20 per cent of the fee.

The fee smashes Town’s previous record, the £4.8 million paid to Sampdoria for Matteo Sereni in the summer of 2001.

Personal terms are also believed to have been agreed with the Hutchinson, however, no announcement is expected this evening with the deal still subject to a medical.

Chelsea are understood to have been keen to get the move over the line before the end of the month, having been widely reported to need to make player sales in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

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

Town manager Kieran McKenna made no secret of his desire to bring Hutchinson back to Portman Road, joking that he’d like him to be CEO Mark Ashton’s birthday present to him at the End-of-Season Dinner in May.

Supporters will be equally delighted with Hutchinson having become a big fans’ favourite during his loan spell.

Town are also close to announcing the addition of former West Ham right-back Ben Johnson on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old is believed to have agreed a four-year deal at Portman Road with his move expected to be rubber-stamped early next week once his Hammers contract is up.

Photo: Matchday Images

IpswichT62OldBoy added 21:14 - Jun 28 It's all happening....
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TimmyH added 21:24 - Jun 28 As we know potentially an even better player in there over the next season or so...still feel £20M is a tad steep...only time will tell and he might then become a bargain. Well come Omari in being an official Town man!
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TimmyH added 21:25 - Jun 28 'Welcome' - berk!
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BurleysGloryDays added 21:27 - Jun 28 W O W ! ! ! Wanna dance with Omari! He’s ours! He always was!
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Macquarie added 21:28 - Jun 28 What absolutely wonderful news! Sad old bodger (saw my first game in 1964 and fondly remember players like Broadfoot and Hegan as well as later stars) as I am, I was moved to tears.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 21:37 - Jun 28 Brilliant news!
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TractorfactorSteve added 21:39 - Jun 28 Great signing but will he ever reach the heights of Joe Pigott? How far our club have come in a couple of short years.
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Bert added 21:53 - Jun 28 Excellent that this is a permanent signing rather than a loan which would have restricted our search in the loan pool if needed.
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IndependentlyBlue added 22:04 - Jun 28 Wonderful news. Really thought he’d be off to Stuttgart. So pleased he’s going to be with us in the Premier League this season. Starting to dream now
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Len_Brennan added 22:14 - Jun 28 One of the reasons we did so well last season, after just coming up, was our great start. The reason for that was keeping together a great squad, that had all bought into the manager's philosophy & work ethic, and crucially had a confidence & winning mentality. Signing Omari & getting him in early is a good move. Sure he isn't yet proven as a Premier League football & he is coming in on fee that is 4 times our previous record transfer, but he already knows how the manager & team play, and he has shown that he is a hard worker and is willing to learn. For us to stay out of the bottom 6 or even 3 next season, we are going to need to hit the ground running & get off to a good start again, while our rivals might be bedding in new managers, with new styles of play & a big turnover of players. Omari joining us full time will certainly help, and having him & any brand new signings in from the start of pre-season, will further add to it.

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ArnieM added 22:44 - Jun 28 Happy Birthday Kieran, best wishes Mark Ashton.
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davidsc1971 added 22:57 - Jun 28 An excellent signing and one to be let loose on the Premier League. If Ben Johnson lands too then that's 2 solid recruits early in the window. Excellent business by Town, as always now. Congratulations all. Sarmiento next please
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Bluesince92 added 23:58 - Jun 28 Great news he'll be hungry as ever to shine in the Prem as well....might be a long shot but Victor Lindelof and hanibal are available from Man Utd I think they would be perfect experience at the back and more energy in midfield.
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Mariner1974 added 00:04 - Jun 29 Did you say Hannibal is available? I love it when a plan comes together.... Love Love Love it if it's done and dusted. Him and 'Philogene is not my Lover' would be wonderful on the wings, then stick Kvaratskheila through the middle running at defences. Lubbly Jubbly.
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bobble added 03:35 - Jun 29 great to hear , even better there are no poems posted...
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itfctilidie added 04:40 - Jun 29 He comes from Jamaica, he drivesa big tractor. Omarrrrii oooooooh Excellent news
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chrismadrid added 07:26 - Jun 29 Great news...looks a class act
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Dissboyitfc added 07:59 - Jun 29 Agree with TimmyH , 22 million for a player that has only one season of senior football and no premier experience behind him seems a tad steep. I am trying to rein myself in a little here, whilst these are massively exciting times and we must enjoy them, I do remember other fans favourites, such as Jimmy Bullard that became permanent after very successful loans , not being the same player once ours! Having said all of the above, I am really pleased with this young man returning on a permanent move and IF he continues to improve his value will surely increase! Welcome back Omari! Also really pleased with the Ben Johnson signing, if that happens of course, but sounds very much as though it will! Great work everyone at ITFC! Who's next I wonder?

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SpiritOfJohn added 09:14 - Jun 29 Second best signing of the summer, after Kieran, and indicates that we are going to go for it in the style to which we have become accustomed. I'm expecting more high-scoring matches next season. We'll probably be on the wrong end of a few, but it's going to be an exciting ride.
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blues1 added 09:21 - Jun 29 Bluesince92 Victor Lindelof. No thanks. He's awful.
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Phil1969 added 10:36 - Jun 29 Great news for us but you have got to laugh at how Chelsea do business. Sell this Omari to us and sigh another Omari I’ve never heard of for a similar fee. Priceless! Omari Kellyman in a deal worth up to £19m from Villa to Chelsea
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:05 - Jun 29 Pleased we have got him back,just hope it pays off,big price paid imo, its a big jump fom lge1 to championship,and even bigger from there to prem, will he make the grade time will tell,lets hope so.
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dubblue added 14:31 - Jun 29 That’s called putting your money where your mouth is! Should be able to hit ground running but like others we need to be patient with Omari and the rest of the team as we are playing at a higher level now
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Cervantes added 16:15 - Jun 29 So happy that we look like we're getting Omari back.
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Lukeybluey added 20:45 - Jun 29 Cracking! I cant bloody wait for the season to start. Do you reckon we'll resign Sarmiento on a permanent too? Or is that me being greedy?
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