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One word Chelsea transfer demand sent by manager two years after Arsenal move

Omari Hutchinson during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Huddersfield Town at Portman Road.
Omari Hutchinson during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Huddersfield Town at Portman Road. -Credit:Stephen Pond/Getty Images


Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has revealed his wish to sign Chelsea loanee Omari Hutchinson on a permanent deal this summer following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

The 20-year-old joined the Tractor Boys on a season-long loan last summer and made a lasting impression at Portman Road. He made a total of 44 appearances in the Championship, scoring 10 goals and providing a further six assists as Ipswich finished in the second automatic promotion spot.

They sealed their place in the Premier League in Saturday’s final day 2-0 victory against Huddersfield Town. Hutchinson scored the second goal just after half time to ease any nerves and start the celebrations around the stadium.

Those celebrations have continued over the weekend. The club took part in an open-top bus parade through the town on bank holiday Monday before having their end-of-season dinner.

With manager McKenna’s birthday coming up, he was asked on stage during the dinner what present he would like from club owner Mark Ashton as a present. Hutchinson was suggested by one of the presenters on stage before McKenna quickly responded by saying “Omari!!”

Hutchinson has been with Chelsea since moving from Arsenal in the summer of 2022. He made two first team appearances for the Blues last season with his Premier League debut coming in a 1-0 defeat against Man City.

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If Chelsea would be willing to cash in this summer is still to be seen. Hutchinson has however expressed his desire to return to Portman Road in the summer .

"I hope so. I don't know,” he said when asked if he was eager to stay. I'll have to see what my agent is saying and what the manager is saying and then go from there," he continued. "I don't know. I just want to celebrate at the moment."

Hutchinson isn’t the only Chelsea loanee to help his club seal promotion to the Premier League this season. Midfielder Cesare Casadei spent the first half of the season with Leicester City but was recalled back to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

He wasn’t able to be part of the Leicester celebrations over the weekend due to being in the Chelsea squad for the 5-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday. Casadei played 22 times in the Championship this season, scoring twice.