Ipswich Town are closing in on a deal to sign Napoli’s Jens Cajuste on loan for the 2024/25 season, with a reported obligation to buy should Town remain in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old Swedish midfielder had previously been close to joining Brentford and was also linked with Everton.
The big picture: Cajuste brings top-level European experience to Ipswich's midfield, an area the club has prioritised strengthening this summer.
His arrival, alongside the acquisition of Kalvin Phillips, significantly boosts Town's options in the middle of the park with Phillips and Cajuste joining Sam Morsy, Massimo Luongo, Jack Taylor, and Cameron Humphreys.
On the pitch: The 23-cap Sweden international is a well-rounded midfielder who's effective at winning the ball and disrupting opponents' play, while also possessing the skill to dribble past the opposition and initiate attacks.
By the numbers: At Napoli last season, Cajuste made 26 Serie A appearances (11 starts, 15 off the bench), contributing 2 assists. He also featured in 6 Champions League matches, including 2 starts, totaling 158 minutes.
But, watch out for: Discipline issues. Cajuste averaged a yellow card every 144 minutes at Napoli last season, accumulating seven bookings in just 1,009 minutes of play.
This tendency could be problematic in the faster-paced Premier League, especially if, as expected, he sees increased playing time at Town.
The bottom line: Despite a challenging year at Napoli following his €12 million transfer from Reims, Cajuste brings vital top-level experience to Town's squad.
With significant potential for growth, he could be a valuable asset in Ipswich's Premier League journey, both for 2024/25 and beyond if his loan becomes a permanent transfer.
