McKenna: Philogene Really Keen to Come to Town
Wednesday, 15th Jan 2025 14:28

Town boss Kieran McKenna has outlined the current position regarding the Blues’ move for Aston Villa winger Jaden Philogene.

Yesterday, Villa boss Unai Emery said that his club completing the addition of Dutch international Donyell Malen was dependent on Philogene finalising his £20 million switch to the Blues.

That move was announced yesterday evening and Philogene, 22, and his representative were pictured at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall close to the Blues’ Playford Road training ground, but with the move still to be confirmed.

Asked about the current situation at his pre-match press conference, McKenna eschewed his usual position of not commenting on players with other clubs.

“I'll nearly always take the approach of not speaking about another team's player, but I think in this case it's fair to say a couple of things because they've publicly said that he might be a player who's leaving,” he said.

“So, of course, Jaden's a player we are talking to, he’s a player that we like, who we've tried to bring to the club in previous windows and we think he's got qualities to really fit in here. So, if it's possible to bring him to the club, we'd like to do so.

“I think what's really important in all this is that Jaden is really keen to come to the football club. I think it's been a slightly longer process than we would have wanted, but it's been steadfast within all that Jaden believes in the project here.

“He has shown a desire to come here, not just now but in the summer as well. It's pretty well known that we tried to bring Jaden to the football club in the summer and amongst having the options of quite a lot of well-established Premier League clubs, his expressed desire was to come here.

“It was something that we tried to do in the end, but it wasn't possible with the contractual situation with Aston Villa, and he went back to his previous club.

“He's shown a good desire to be here through the last couple of windows. He's a player that we know well, he's a player that we like and we'd like to bring to the football club.

“It's a complicated deal for the football club to do because he's a young player who's just signed a five-year contract with Aston Villa in the summer, so that's not an easy deal for Ipswich Town to do. Aston Villa have to get the best deal possible for their club.

“The player's representatives have to get the best deal and make sure the security is right for the player. And for us, it's very important that every deal we do is right for the now but also helps the progression of the football club in the longer term, and also protects the football club in the longer term. So, that's a pretty complicated deal to do.

“I think people are working pretty hard on it. I think there's been some progress today. If all those things can match up, then he's a player that we'd like to have at the club. It's not quite completed yet, but I think things are progressing pretty well and, as I say, if it can be completed then he's a player we'd be happy to have.”

Quizzed on whether he’s happy to allow transfer negotiations go to the wire or whether he sets his own deadlines, McKenna said: “I think every situation is different. You want to get it done as early as possible, and you're really conscious that, especially in the Premier League.

“Compared to the Championship, there are not that many games, relatively speaking. There are 18 games left and by Monday, there'll be 16 games left.

“You want to get your stuff done as early in the window as possible because you've got more chance of having an impact in more of the games and players take time to settle in January usually, so the quicker you can get that process started, the further along there'll be.

“But I don't think you set any deadline universally across all players. Last January window, for example, I think we signed Jeremy Sarmiento and Lewis Travis really early in the window. We wanted to sign a striker in the window and we weren't able to for a good period of weeks.

“We actually had one or two strikers leave the building and we weren't able to sign Kieffer Moore until maybe the last day of the window, who was a striker that we really wanted at the club.

“But because he was such a clear target and we really believed he'd be an important player for us, we were prepared to wait for that one, and we had to wait for that one.

“So, I think each individual case is different. You're aware of the clock, and the season is ticking along, but I think you always have to make some judgement calls on each player.”

Asked whether there's anything he can do to hasten the completion of the Philogene deal, McKenna added: “Nothing personally from me. I have had some contact with the player in the appropriate manner.

“The main thing for me is the player’s desire to be here and his wish is to join us, but apart from that then, it’s out of my hands. If it’s the right thing for all parties, then I’m sure it will get done.”

Photo: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images via Reuters Connect

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dirtydingusmagee added 15:45 - Jan 15

To the down markers of my comment i dont expect ANY player to hit the ground running and never said that , but there will be some that will gey on his back if he dosnt produce the goods after all the delays ,s##t happens my point is the delays are not helping the player . I dont take offence to being down marked if people disagree so be it thats not a problem at all
as long as dosnt get personal or offensive , .Anyway he wont now be in team against Brighton albeit prob from bench, which is a bummer fingers crossed we can get 3 points regardless and no more points thrown away like last game COYB
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Eeyore added 15:49 - Jan 15 The agent knows McKenna want him fo the Brighton game and part of his value to us is whether he can play in that match. Villa and the agent holding us to ransome for a few extra quid. They can do this because we havent been strongly linked with other similar players. They know its our only option.
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Tellitasitis added 15:50 - Jan 15

I now you should not say it but I'm so bored now of hearing this name now if he really wanted to sign in opinion he would of by now.
He is putting himself under more pressure by dragging it out he now has to deliver from day one or what is all the fuss about.
On another note alittle concerned that we are not being reported to be in for a striker I think we can all agree Ali needs to go on loan and quick!!

dirtydingusmagee added 15:59 - Jan 15 Tellitasitis,i agree re Hamadi he is not up to whats required and not getting game time , he does need to be loaned out asap and get games under his belt for everyones benefit
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TheProf added 16:06 - Jan 15 if Villa and the agent are looking for Ipswich to replicate the entire terms of Philogene’ extravagant five year contract, awarded to a relatively unproven player, then we should walk away.
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Wonky added 16:31 - Jan 15 So many armchair experts here!. Turns out transfers might be more complicated than you thought.
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Leejames99 added 16:33 - Jan 15

Firstly we weren't reliant on him joining to face Brighton, we have Hurst back who can go on for Delap, Broadhead can play on right and J Clarke on left with maybe a 3 midfield of Morsy, Phillips and Cajuste.
My team be -
Walton
Godfrey
O'Shea
Greaves
Davis
Phillips
Cajuste
Morsy (C)
Broadhead
Delap
J Clarke

Subs
Hutchinson on for Broadhead if he can start to get some mins
Hurst on for Delap
Townsend for Davis
J Taylor for a midfielder
Johnson on for Godfrey

Also Aston Villa are in competition with Brighton for euro places so that maybe why they holding us up too, now deadline passed for that game I think announcement pending. Great signing for me. Need a new target to get us buzzing again.

Leejames99 added 16:33 - Jan 15

johnwarksshorts added 16:36 - Jan 15 I agree, everything has to be right for all concerned. Dot the i' s and cross the t' s. Let's not make a theatre of this. If everything's right he'll sign.
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stiffy501 added 17:01 - Jan 15 Why do i think if he realy wanted to come to town he'd have been here at the start of the season, not sure blaming the agent is true after all he employs the agent and the final call is his !! he chose the money.
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Carberry added 17:08 - Jan 15

This seems to be turning into a Szmodics saga, we know he wasn't an 'oven ready' Premier League player, I really hope this lad is, as it's another £20M+ and probably £40k+ a week.
That's why people are saying he needs to hit the ground running.
However, what we need, as an absolute priority, is a striker. Al Hamadi is not an option in this league, way out of his depth (not his fault). We are now half way through the month and missing the opportunity to get returns on the investments we make to keep us in the Prem.

blueboy1981 added 17:11 - Jan 15 He’s not bothered what Club he goes to, He and his Agent are after the all important Biggest Dollar for them both ! MOVE ON - and FORGET all the nonsense words, of which there has been far too many already !
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blueboy1981 added 17:20 - Jan 15 Oh Well, that’s half the Window closed !! - and still not got the Player - least of all the incomers that the Experts were predicting !! No surprise to me, to be honest.
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TimmyH added 17:30 - Jan 15 My God!...this goes on and on, hope it's worth it (what I've seen so far this season probably not).
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Karlosfandangal added 17:41 - Jan 15 I have read that it’s all to do with his 5 year contract at Villa…….villa we’re paying more per week than Town and it’s about who will pay the difference
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armchaircritic59 added 17:48 - Jan 15 No point in speculating, as the only parties who know exactly what's going on are the representatives of the two clubs, the player himself and of course his agent. Ignore silly, unfounded rumours. What will be, will be. Hopefully get this young man in, Ben Doak, and a striker, job done!
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ArnieM added 17:49 - Jan 15 So, basically the agent and probably my Billa are still trying to screw us !
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dirtydingusmagee added 18:03 - Jan 15 Karlos if true Ashton wont give in easily , and wouldnt blame him if he gave it the bums rush but we need to have other options to me is running down beggining to seem more like a ransom demand. I thought yesterday it was just about waiting to secure their player .Its really frustrating knowing time is running out for other options or additions .
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Leejames99 added 18:09 - Jan 15 People sayng move on etc, move onto who exactly, we got Godfery, what other prem clubs have made a load of signings so far? We all chasing se players, if we get Philogene that's a real coup I think. Any suggestions who else you would like us to sign?
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pablo123 added 18:14 - Jan 15 Doak
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pablo123 added 18:14 - Jan 15 And we'd probably get him for 20 mill !!
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terryf added 18:17 - Jan 15 It's good that McKenna has at least reassured us that boy wants to come here but ultimately it's always about MONEY! I've felt all along that it's to do with his 5 year contract at Villa and how much of it they are prepared to pay him. In addition the knoc-on is that Villa will want some sort of percentage payment if we sell on in the future.
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Linkboy13 added 18:37 - Jan 15 What's next Philogene the movie can't wait for the next episode. Of course all transfers are like this don't make me laugh. Keiran McKenna must be very frustrated deep down the way we are dealing with this.
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RegencyBlue added 18:56 - Jan 15 Bottom line is only those involved in the negotiations know what’s going on, the rest of us are just guessing as to what the problem is. Whatever is going on we need the deal to go through because if it doesn’t we will have wasted a lot of time and effort to no effect! McKenna has wanted this guy for a long time so so it would be a shame to miss out again.
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