Town are closing in on the loan signing of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Paraguayan international forward Julio Enciso.

The 20-year-old was first mentioned as a target of the Blues and Leicester by media in his home country last week when TWTD confirmed he had been a player Town had eyed in the previous couple of windows but at that stage without making an approach.

However, the situation appears to have moved on since then with Paraguayan journalist Christian Pérez reporting that Enciso, who was on the Seagulls’ bench at Portman Road last Thursday without making it onto the field, is on his way to Town to complete a loan switch and could be in the squad for Saturday’s game at Liverpool. We understand that this is the case with a medical set for Wednesday.

Enciso, who is 5ft 8in tall, joined Brighton from Club Libertad in his home country for £9 million in 2022.

Speaking about speculation that Enciso might be sent on loan in his press conference ahead of the Town game, manager Fabian Hurzeler said: “There are arguments for and against. But the most important is that he knows our arguments, that we know his arguments, that he's giving everything for the club, because in the end, he always says that he really likes to play for Brighton and that's why I think he already showed it this season so far.

“When he was on the pitch, then he had good performances, he proved it last Saturday against Norwich [in which he scored]. So in the end, we are really happy to have him here in the squad.

“We always have to negotiate what is the best for the individual development from the player. What is helpful at the moment? Is it like playing every game or is it training with the highest quality and not playing every game?

“So that’s always a thing where we have to exchange with the player, where we have to negotiate what is the most helpful for the club, what is the most helpful for the player and then I'm sure that we will make the right decision.”

Enciso, who has been capped 23 times by Paraguay, scoring twice, is contracted until the summer of 2026 with Brighton not looking to sell him.

The Blues have been after three attacking players in this window, forwards Enciso and Jaden Philogene, who joined from Aston Villa last week, and a number nine, who they now have just under a fortnight to recruit before the Monday 3rd February deadline.

As he is 20, Enciso, who will become the club’s first ever Paraguayan international, doesn’t count towards the Blues’ 25-man Premier League squad, which has to be resubmitted shortly after the window closes.

The signing almost certainly ends Town’s pursuit of Liverpool’s Ben Doak, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough. The Blues made a £16 million offer for the 19-year-old close to the beginning of the window, which was rebuffed.

Town and the Seagulls did January loan business last year, Jeremy Sarmiento coming in and playing a big part in the Blues’ promotion to the Premier League.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

Leejames99 added 22:23 - Jan 21 It seems some people are confused, probably because of Hamadi post, Enciso is not a striker he is an attacking midfielder who is rated at the next big superstar 20 years old and scored the prem goal of season. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/insider/story/_/id/38167696/premier-league-break Read that, this is a crucial signing and with Smodicks and Broadhead they can all slot in to that 10 roaming position between midfield and forwards, our attacking pace is frightening from starting and on bench now if this goes through and new striker in. Phillips and Cajuste can provide the muscle, I'd love see matic also but with Davis and Godfery sitting in front of defence also we should be solid at the back. Walton/Muric/Slicker Tunazabe/Johnson O'Shea (C)/Edmondson Burgess/Greaves Davis /Townsend Phillips/Godfrey Cajuste/Morsy/J Taylor Enciso/Szmodicks Hutchinson/Broadhead Phillogene/J Clarke Delap/New Striker/Hirst I think that will be our 25 man squad! Out 25 I would put Morsy out but don't think he will this season and so feel J Taylor will go on loan if we get another signing H Clarke - Loan Luongo - Released Chaplin - Sold Burns - Sold Hammadi - Sold Ogbene - Season Injury. Something tells me we may get a new keeper, Nick Pope

-6

sidewaysbackwards added 22:51 - Jan 21 Lee James, if I’ve read correctly Enciso doesn’t count in the 25 man squad as he is under 21
4

Leejames99 added 23:09 - Jan 21 Bit rude @reddust only my opinion not spam just my thoughts, just like the Iraqis as you put it post they would like to of seen Hamadi play more, no different some fans don't want to lose the old guard, some don't rate signings etc it's just opinion and debate, not rudeness or insults.
0

Leejames99 added 23:09 - Jan 21 Bit rude @reddust only my opinion not spam just my thoughts, just like the Iraqis as you put it post they would like to of seen Hamadi play more, no different some fans don't want to lose the old guard, some don't rate signings etc it's just opinion and debate, not rudeness or insults.
-2

Leejames99 added 23:09 - Jan 21 Bit rude @reddust only my opinion not spam just my thoughts, just like the Iraqis as you put it post they would like to of seen Hamadi play more, no different some fans don't want to lose the old guard, some don't rate signings etc it's just opinion and debate, not rudeness or insults.
-2

armchaircritic59 added 00:49 - Jan 22 Seen Julio play a few times, when he's at his best he's a real talent, hopefully it happens, and KM can make him feel wanted and get the best out of him. Tony Bloom's data program at Brighton doesn't make many mistakes, as we've seen just recently! On another note, sad to see it looks like no chance with Doak now. I firmly believe he's potentially a better player than any other wide player we have here, though I admit we would have had rather a lot of them. Also someone above commented about the build of some of our players and how they can be muscled off the ball more easily, to which you can now add Jaden Philogene, though his pace and trickiness might make things a bit easier for him. Finally, talking about Tony Bloom, if anyone should be interested in team and individual player statistics, WhoScored.com is really good, most of it is free too, and please note, I have absolutely no connection in any way to it!

5

JPR77 added 09:20 - Jan 22 Enciso will certainly raise the bar but I think we need a pivotal central midfielder to move the ball quicker and pull some strings.
3

JonDouglas4Ballondor added 09:47 - Jan 22 A front four of Jaden, Enciso, Hutchinson and Delap sounds tasty. Light weight but all talented, technical players. Clarke simply has not cut the mustard unfortunately so needed another winger. Can see Kieran reverting back to the 4 at the back system now.. Exciting!!
0

CobboldCrusty added 10:29 - Jan 22 Is Enciso going to be an option only in the 10 position or is he realistically providing cover as that third striker now (assuming AAH finds another deal)? Exciting player but I still feel like we're a 9 and a midfielder short at the moment
0

Jeff added 10:38 - Jan 22 Why do people keepsaying "Woolfenden is leaving"? He's clearly preferred over Edmundson, that is why Edmunson went outon load. Woolfenden has recently got back in the team and was even Captain for the FA Cup game.
1

mathiemagic added 12:21 - Jan 22 Sky sports have confirmed the Enciso move although a massive typo states he has completed his medical at Ipswich ahead of joining Brighton on loan !! :-) Enciso completes Ipswich medical Julio Enciso has completed his Ipswich Town medical ahead of joining Brighton on a six-month loan, Sky Sports News understands
1

tractorboybig added 12:51 - Jan 22 bench warmer, not premier league standard, will fit in well with most of our additions?
-8

BeattiesBackPocket added 13:10 - Jan 22 People who want this physical presence up front who then?? Who do you want that will also as some have put ‘blow you away’ as a signing. The most we can hope to get is a championship striker who won’t blow anyone away on here because we are in a relegation fight. Part of me thinks Hirst can do this if he stays fit and we keep striker money for the summer when IF we stay up we will be able to get a much better and bigger prospect in as we will be established a little more and be more of a pull but no one top notch will come here yet.

3

Mariner1974 added 13:16 - Jan 22 Yeh happy with this signing. He's a classy operator and a good finisher from distance. Have seen him score a few crackers. Noticed that George Hirst has already dyed his hair in preparation for Enciso's arrival. They all go to same guy as Jezza Sarmiento.
0

ArnieM added 13:38 - Jan 22 Have the Club decided not to offer him a further contract then? I like us for a youngish player.
0

ArnieM added 13:39 - Jan 22 Sorry wrong thread / story line ^^^^
0

tempzzzz added 13:54 - Jan 22 @Jeff - Woolfenden looking likely to be sold or loaned, see post about Inter Miami interest (shocked me too). Edmundson probably recalled as a deal is looking likely and we have cover there anyway. Would imagine Woolfy captained against Rovers as he is a long standing servant to the club and deserves it, the club probably know a deal is imminent. Of course this is just speculation, I could be wrong.

0

itfc2024 added 20:03 - Jan 22 why do all our signings take ages to complete
2

Treacle added 20:09 - Jan 22 Man U tried to hi jack this deal but the player reported rejected as he wants regular football. Keep the faith, he will soon be confirmed…
0

Saxonblue74 added 21:48 - Jan 22 ......Still "closing in"?
1

chepstowblue added 05:49 - Jan 23 Is there any possibility that this deal goes through before May ?
1

Dissboyitfc added 07:38 - Jan 23 Bit frustrating not closed yet, however rather this than a few short years back when signing players not really wanted by anyone else happened so much quicker! Looking at his highlights reel he looks like an upmarket Bersant Celina! Still need that number 9.
0

Dissboyitfc added 07:38 - Jan 23 Bit frustrating not closed yet, however rather this than a few short years back when signing players not really wanted by anyone else happened so much quicker! Looking at his highlights reel he looks like an upmarket Bersant Celina! Still need that number 9.
0

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:27 - Jan 23 No suprise this deal seems to be taking some time - they all do. Hope we can get it done before the weekend.
1

Karlosfandangal added 08:57 - Jan 23 Are you Philogene in disguise
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls