Ipswich Town’s Retained List Announced: Harness and Luongo Depart, Baggott Option Taken
In a move that has been expected for some time, Ipswich Town have announced their retained list for the upcoming season, with Marcus Harness and Massimo Luongo set to depart the club. The news was confirmed by The Wheels To Watch (TWTD) on Monday, June 2nd.
According to TWTD, Harness’s contract included an option for a further season, but the Blues have opted against exercising it, and the 29-year-old will leave the club this summer. Harness, who joined the Blues from Portsmouth for £750,000 in July 2022, has made 38 starts and 51 sub appearances, scoring 12 goals.
Harness spent this season on loan at Derby and made 27 starts and 15 sub appearances, scoring four times, as the Rams finished 19th in the Championship. A return to Pride Park could well be on the cards for the Coventry-born player. As TWTD reports, Blues boss Kieran McKenna revealed prior to the final game of the season against West Ham that Luongo would be moving on.
In a positive move for the club, TWTD states that the Blues have taken up an option in defender Elkan Baggott’s contract, which will see the Indonesian international remain at Portman Road for a further season. Baggott spent the season with League One Blackpool and made 17 starts and three sub appearances without scoring.
Contract talks with both Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe, whose deals are up this summer, are continuing according to TWTD. The Blues have confirmed that loanees Jens Cajuste (Napoli), Julio Enciso (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ben Godfrey (Atalanta), and Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City) have all returned to their clubs.
The club’s list of under-contract players looks set to be reduced by one today with Liam Delap closing in on his £30 million move to Chelsea, with some reports claiming personal terms have been agreed and his medical started yesterday. As TWTD reports, In addition to Baggott, Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City), Harry Clarke (Sheffield United), and Cameron Humphreys (Wycombe Wanderers) have returned to the club following their loan spells.
The full list of players who have been released, had their contract options taken, or are returning from loan spells can be seen below:
Released:
* Massimo Luongo
* Marcus Harness
Contract option taken:
* Elkan Baggott
Offered new contract:
* Cameron Burgess
* Axel Tuanzebe
Returning from loan:
* Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City)
* Elkan Baggott (Blackpool)
* Harry Clarke (Sheffield United)
* Cameron Humphreys (Wycombe Wanderers)
Loans expired:
* Jens Cajuste (Napoli)
* Julio Enciso (Brighton & Hove Albion)
* Ben Godfrey (Atalanta)
* Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
Under contract:
* Ali Al-Hamadi
* Elkan Baggott
* Nathan Broadhead
* Wes Burns
* Conor Chaplin
* Harry Clarke
* Jack Clarke
* Leif Davis
* Liam Delap
* Jacob Greaves
* George Hirst
* Cameron Humphreys
* Omari Hutchinson
* Ben Johnson
* Sam Morsy
* Aro Muric
* Chiedozie Ogbene
* Dara O’Shea
* Alex Palmer
* Jaden Philogene
* Cieran Slicker
* Sam Szmodics
* Jack Taylor
* Conor Townsend
* Christian Walton
* Luke Woolfenden
The announcements have sparked a reaction from fans, with many taking to social media to discuss the news. As the summer transfer window heats up, Ipswich Town fans will be eagerly anticipating the club’s next moves.
Fans have expressed mixed feelings about the departure of Harness, with some thanking him for his contributions to the club and wishing him well for the future. Others have expressed disappointment, but acknowledge that the club’s decision to release him may be the right one.
It remains to be seen how the club will shape up for the upcoming season, but one thing is certain: Ipswich Town will be looking to build on their recent successes and push for promotion. With a talented young squad and a new manager at the helm, the future looks bright for the Blues.
This article has been written based on information from The Wheels To Watch (TWTD).
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