Forget Hayden Hackney, Ipswich Town now have clear run to sign ‘very important’ Premier League ace

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Ipswich Town are plotting an ambitious loan move for a Premier League midfielder.

Ipswich Town have flexed their instant promotion ambitions throughout the summer transfer window with several impressive signings.

Chuba Akpom joined Ipswich instead of Birmingham City, with ‘exciting’ signing Azor Matusiwa already through the door at Portman Road alongside the return of loanee Jens Cajuste.

Unfortunately for Kieran McKenna, his side’s prospects this season are mitigated by Chelsea’s £30m signing of Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson’s switch to Nottingham Forest.

After failed swoops for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney and Newcastle United starlet Lewis Miley, Ipswich are plotting an ambitious loan swoop for an impressive Premier League talent.

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Ipswich Town eye loan move for Bournemouth midfielder Phillip Billing

Earlier in the window, Middlesbrough star Hackney turned down Ipswich’s offer after holding talks with Tractor Boys officials over a £20m move.

Following that, Ipswich had a loan bid for Lewis Miley rejected by Newcastle United as McKenna looks to bolster his options in the engine room.

With Ipswich fans not convinced by Matusiwa after the new signing’s performance in the 1-1 draw with Southampton, the Tractor Boys have reportedly targeted a loan move for Bournemouth midfielder Phillip Billing.

Danish international Billing featured ten times for Bournemouth last season before joining Napoli on loan for the second half of the campaign, where he also played ten times as Antonio Conte’s side won the Serie A title.

Team Talk report: “Billing is likely to head on again having spent the second half of last season on loan with Napoli in Italy and he’s attracting interest again from overseas.

“Two clubs from Germany are keen while it’s understood that Ipswich have made an enquiry for Billing, who is available to leave before the transfer window closes.

“The Championship club are looking to beef up their midfield options with Billing among the loan options.”

After Cherries boss Andoni Iraola’s comments regarding Billing, the 29-year-old looks set to leave the Vitality Stadium this summer, as Ipswich look to ambitiously capitalise.

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What Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has said about Phillip Billing

Billing had a positive impact at Napoli, and scored a pivotal late equaliser against then-champions Inter Milan in March, but the Italian giants opted against making his loan move permanent.

After the towering midfielder scored a stunning long-range strike in a pre-season clash against Everton in his first Cherries outing since returning from Napoli, Iraola lifted the lid on his future.

Iraola said via the BBC: “I am happy to have him back.

“Even not playing a lot of minutes for Napoli, even from the bench he was very important. Winning Serie A is big achievement, even if you are not one of the starters.

“But sometimes it is not us pushing for a move. Sometimes it is the players who are not happy with their roles and they are the ones who want to try something else.

“It is a question for him and more a decision from him and the club.”

Billing was an unused substitute in Bournemouth’s 4-2 loss at Liverpool on Premier League opening weekend, but the former Huddersfield Town star’s abilities and presence in the midfield would represent a major transfer coup if Ipswich can get it over the line.