Omari Hutchinson of Ipswich Town during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Leicester City FC at Portman Road on November 02, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)David Ornstein
Ipswich Town have rejected a bid from Nottingham Forest to sign attacking midfielder Omari Hutchinson.
The proposal was worth £35million and if a sale was to occur, Ipswich would demand a higher price for the England Under-21 international.
Brentford also remain interested in the midfielder following an earlier approach in the window.
Hutchinson came through Arsenal’s youth academy before joining Chelsea in the summer of 2022.
He made just two first-team appearances for Chelsea before joining Ipswich initially on loan in the summer of 2023, before the move was made permanent in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth up to £22.5million ($30.2m).
Hutchinson has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in 82 games for Ipswich, scoring three times in the Premier League last season.
Despite having previously made two appearances for Jamaica, he has made several appearances for England’s national youth sides, playing in all six of the Under-21’s European Championship games in June.
Hutchinson, being deployed on the left wing throughout the tournament, scored in the final as England beat Germany 3-2 after extra time.
What would Hutchinson bring to Forest?
Analysis from Nottingham Forest correspondent Paul Taylor
Omari Hutchinson would tick almost all of the boxes Nottingham Forest normally apply to their recruitment: He is a young, exciting player who has the ability to both make an immediate impact on the team — and still improve significantly in the future.
The 21-year-old has the versatility to play out wide or to operate as an attacking midfielder.
Hutchinson was among the scorers as the England under-21 side beat Germany 3-2 to win the European Championship in June. Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson was also part of that squad.
Hutchinson was often one of the standout performers for Ipswich, even as they struggled against relegation in the Premier League last season — having previously been a key figure in their promotion from the Championship, contributing ten goals, during the 2023-24 season.
He is a different player to Anthony Elanga, who joined Newcastle for £52million last month but, if Forest could beat off competition for his signature, he would add to their attacking options at a crucial time.
Forest are keen to add strength in depth to their squad as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to lead them back into Europe for the first time in three decades, while also following up on their surprise seventh placed finish in the top flight last season.
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