Exits so far this summer: Ivan Azon (Como loan expired).

George Hirst

2025/26: Championship: 25 starts (17 sub apps). Cups: 1  (1). Goals: 11. Assists: 3.

Contract: 2029.

After playing a key role in back-to-back promotions, Hirst proved a handy sub when backing up Liam Delap in a struggling Premier League side. He scored three top flight goals – cool finish at Brentford and expert headers against Forest/Everton – from just 651 minutes of action, also netting a couple more in an FA Cup run.

There’s no doubting the 27-year-old didn’t quite kick on as the main man with the No.9 on his back last season though. He started the campaign with big confidence (see opening day ‘that’s what I do’ celebration), but subsequently admitted to ‘over-thinking’ his game amidst growing fans’ criticism. To his credit, his form improved and he finished on a respectable 11 goals.

Along with Christian Walton and Leif Davis, the 27-year-old might end up being one of last remaining men from the League One days. Will hopefully return from the World Cup with Scotland with an extra spring in his step. Being able to play on the last shoulder of higher defensive lines will suit his game better than needing to drop deep and link play.

Verdict: Set to be a back-up striker in the top flight again. Town will surely spend big to land a new starting No.9.

Chuba Akpom

2025/26: Championship: 7 (22). Cups: 2 (0). Goals: 2. Assists: 0.

Contract: 2029.

Was snatched from under the noses of Birmingham late in last summer’s transfer window, but the former Championship Golden Boot winner was never able to nail down a spot in the team.

The former Arsenal youngster arrived saying he felt Kieran McKenna’s system ‘suited my style a lot’, but it quickly became apparent that Town needed a creative No.10 (Marcelino Nunez) rather than a second striker (Akpom/Sammie Szmodics) to break down deep blocks.

Akpom was handed a few games as a No.9 either side of Christmas when Hirst was injured and got a handful of minutes wide left off the bench too. You could see how desperate he was to make an impact whenever on the field, and there were some glimpses of his clever movement and close control, but ultimately it has to go down as a disappointing spell.

Would Ipswich have chosen to sign him permanently from Ajax for £7m? Probably not. That’s what’s happened though because promotion triggered a mandatory buy clause.

You could make an argument that the 30-year-old should be kept around as a positive personality and versatile squad player. He has played top flight football in Holland, France, Greece and Belgium lest we not forget.

Verdict: All depends on whether Ipswich sign one or two strikers. If it’s the latter, then I can see Akpom joining a Championship/foreign club on loan late in the transfer window.

Ali Al-Hamadi

2025/26: Championship: 0 (1). Cups: 1  (0). Goals: 0. Assists: 0.

Contract: 2028.

Town took a punt on Al-Hamadi when signing him from AFC Wimbledon midway through the 2023/24 campaign. The £1m+ deal represented the biggest fee ever received for a League Two player.

The lively Liverpudlian provided the injection of energy that was required, playing his part off the bench as promotion was secured. It meant he suddenly found himself a Premier League player with limited Championship/League One experience behind him though.

Post-season surgery didn’t help him make the best fist of the humungous step up. Injuries, unfortunately, have continued to dog him.

A half season loan at Championship club Stoke yielding two goals from 11 starts and four sub appearances was followed by a full season on loan at League One Luton Town where he bagged just once from two starts and 12 sub outings.

Ipswich will now hope he puts himself in the shop window when playing for Iraq during the upcoming World Cup.

Verdict: Suitors won’t be willing to match the wages he’s on, so another loan exit looks likely.