Enciso Close to Town Loan Return - Report
Wednesday, 5th Aug 2026 09:49

Julio Enciso is closing in on a loan move to the Blues from Strasbourg, according to a Paraguayan report.

Talks between the Blues and the Ligue 1 club, where manager Gary O’Neil was manager during the second half of last season, have been ongoing for more than a week with the player understood to be keen on a return to Town following his loan spell in the second half of 2024/25.

According to VS Sports, that move is now hours away, Enciso having rebuffed interest from Turkish clubs.

However, Enciso played 45 minutes of Strasbourg’s 5-2 friendly thrashing by Bundesliga Elvesberg last night, which may suggest the switch isn’t quite as close as claimed.

The Paraguayan international made 12 starts and one sub appearance, scoring twice, during his previous spell at Portman Road.

The 22-year-old was then with Brighton but moved to Strasbourg on a four-year deal for around £10 million last summer, O’Neil taking charge of the Ligue 1 side from January until the end of last season.

Enciso, who scored 12 times in 42 games for Strasbourg during 2026/27, joined Brighton from Club Libertad in his home country for £9 million in 2022.

Capped 37 times by Paraguay, scoring five, Enciso appeared for his country at this summer’s World Cup finals.

Photo: Matchday Images

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Bazza8564 added 09:55 - Aug 5 Hopefully this gets done, and hopefully with an obligation. I don't blame the player for not wanting a permanent move at this stage, but having worked with the gaffer before, his keenness says everything about their relationship
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CaptainAhab added 09:56 - Aug 5 Hope it gets done, and with a option to buy too
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Linkboy13 added 09:56 - Aug 5 Good signing if every player shows his commitment and passion this season we will stay up.
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BiGDonnie added 10:12 - Aug 5 Sign him up!
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Stato added 10:16 - Aug 5 I don't read this as the player not wanting a permanent move but Strasbourg wanting more than £10m transfer fee. My guess is it could be like the Akpom deal where the club feel its worth paying a bit on nthe valuation if Prem League money is secured. When the details come out it might be clearer to see the thinking
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dubblue added 10:21 - Aug 5 By all accounts he has progressed since he last played for us so hopefully we get this deal over the line.
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JewellintheTown added 10:21 - Aug 5 I wonder why its a loan and not outright sale. Wonder who insisted on that and who it really benefits. Either way, get him in.
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timkatieadamitfc added 10:24 - Aug 5 Looked like he was the only one really trying during one Paraguay game at the wc, would be happy with this as looks like he has improved a fair bit since he was here last.
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TractorCam added 10:28 - Aug 5 JewellintheTown - Chelsea, they pull all the strings with that club
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:38 - Aug 5 Agree with comments, the logical deal for both parties is loan with obligation if we stay up. Think we will get a better, more mature, less selfish player this time.
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jas0999 added 11:08 - Aug 5 Hopefully the loan deal will be an obligation if we stay in the PL … otherwise he will no doubt be off to Chelsea if he does well for us. Nonetheless this guy has an attacking threat and just what we need. Perhaps a couple more loans will happen towards the end of the window.
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blues1 added 11:15 - Aug 5 Bazza8564. There's no suggestion that its him that doesnt want a permanent move. Would suggest its more a case that the clubs couldn't agree on everything regarding a permanent move.
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Bazza8564 added 11:21 - Aug 5 Blues1, possibly true, but if they are willing. to let him leave I would suggest they would be better getting a fee now. We will see, a loan with an obligation would feel like the player's wish, time will tell i guess
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Monkey_Blue added 11:39 - Aug 5 The problem with an obligation to buy is that the player doesn’t have an obligation to sign. If he has a very good season his options might be to go to a bigger club than us. It’s not like that was going to be the case with Akpom
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StowTractor added 12:19 - Aug 5 Would have preferred a permanent deal but hopefully this one comes with an option or obligation if we stay up. Saves some money this season that can be spent elsewhere in the squad, central midfield, striker or full backs.
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StowTractor added 12:21 - Aug 5 Monkey Blue : In these deals personal terms are normally agreed with the player at the start of the loan to come into effect if the terms of the obligation to buy are meet.
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Paulc added 12:30 - Aug 5 anyone saying "loan with an obligation" needs slapping. Loan with Option is far better. Not that it's likely but if he meets the criteria of "if you stay up" but has played no part, you are obnligated to buy a player that's not in your plans.
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Marcus added 13:27 - Aug 5 Perhaps a loan with conditional obligation of a buy should we stay up?
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BeattiesBackPocket added 13:47 - Aug 5

He was a fantastic little player when he was with us last time for me he has improved other areas of his game immensely with the World Cup performances being a big indication of that. It also looked like he could play up top if needed as he did against Germany and France running tirelessly putting the defenders under pressure and scored a good goal when they were under the cosh. It would’ve been a definite yes before the World Cup and his last season stats but even more so now.

ChingShady added 14:44 - Aug 5 Fingers crossed we can get him back, bit of a selfish mind at times, but also has the tenacity to hunt the ball down and has that magic spark which can come at any moment. In the prem you need those special moment players and when they also work for the team, win win in my book.
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britbiker added 17:51 - Aug 5 Jas. Not sure we will be making more than one other loan if this one comes off. I think you are only allowed two in this division unlike the championship where half the team could be loans
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britbiker added 17:55 - Aug 5 I think it's two prem.loans so maybe this one will be classed as a loan from elsewhere which may still give us scope to borrow a couple more to fill some gaps later in the window
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armchaircritic59 added 18:53 - Aug 5

If it happens, just needs to become a bit more of a team player, he's got most of the other attributes and that little maverick streak which I like in a player, though you probably couldn't have a team full of them! I'm actually glad he played last night. The nearer a player is to full match fitness when he gets here, the better as far as I'm concerned, only 16 more days and the next one is kick off day. We wait to see.

BeattiesBackPocket added 23:44 - Aug 5

Armchaircritic I’m assuming you never watched him in the World Cup or you wouldn’t be questioning his team ethic. He ploughed a lone furrow up front against Germany and France holding on to the ball to bring his team up the pitch, winning fouls for his team, and creating chances for them unselfishly giving their defenders a torrid time when he did have the ball.