Nine-cap England international Wilson has been offered a new deal at freshly-relegated West Ham, but could well turn that down in order to remain a Premier League player. The 34-year-old former Bournemouth and Newcastle hot shot has scored 95 goals in the top flight and is believed to be keen to join the 100 club.
Ipswich showed interest in his signature back in January when pushing for Championship promotion, but West Ham ultimately decided to keep him around for their failed attempt to beat the drop.
Callum Wilson’s contract at West Ham is close to expiring. (Image: PA)
Wilson emerged from that campaign with a great deal of credit, contributing seven goals from 11 starts and 21 sub appearances, with many Hammers fans believing he should have played more.
Town look set to face competition from fellow newly-promoted clubs Coventry and Hull for Wilson’s signature. The former could appeal to the front man given he was born in Coventry and came through the Sky Blues youth ranks.
Kelly, meanwhile, has links to two key men in the Town set-up. He came through the youth ranks at Bristol City when Mark Ashton was chairman at Ashton Gate, then played under new Blues boss Gary O’Neil at Bournemouth in 2022/23.
O’Neil took the Cherries captaincy off Kelly midway through that campaign, handing it to new signing Neto, explaining the defender needed to put his full focus into recovering from injury.
“He is a fantastic human being who I know very, very well,” said O’Neil at the time. “I think the world of him and he understands how desperate I am to get him back.”
Lloyd Kelly played under new Ipswich Town boss Gary O’Neil at Bournemouth. (Image: PA)
Kelly went on to be reunited with Eddie Howe at Newcastle, then joined Juventus – first on loan, then for a £20m fee last summer. He started 33 games for the Italian giants last season, primarily on the left side of a back three, and is contracted there until 2029.
Juventus are reportedly willing to listen to offers of around £30m for the 27-year-old this summer, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest having all been credited with interest.
Ipswich, as widely reported, are also interested in Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. The 34-year-old grew up a big Ipswich fan is said to be available for £5m this summer having vied with Southampton loanee Aaron Ramsdale for minutes last season.
Town chief Ashton has said that a number of transfer deals are well advanced, with this week’s appointment of O’Neil now enabling the club to push forward with recruitment.