Given Vaclav Hladky’s position, Ipswich Town may be seeking for a new custodian this summer, therefore Viktor Johansson should be on their radar.
The Tractor Boys have had a terrific campaign thus far, and with only a few games remaining, they will look to finish strong and earn their position in the top division.
Obviously, where Ipswich finishes this season will influence what they can and cannot do in the summer transfer window.
However, it appears that signing a new custodian may become a priority for the club, as Christian Walton has slid down the pecking order and Vaclav Hladky, despite being the number one all season, is out of contract at the end of the season.
In 2021, Ipswich Town recruited the experienced Vaclav Hladky from League Two side Salford City, following a good season in Manchester.
Hladky had 22 clean sheets in 46 League Two games with Salford, so when he joined the Tractor Boys, he would have hoped to maintain his good run.
However, it became evident earlier on that he was hired to add competition in the goalkeeping department, and he had to settle for the number two spot.
He only appeared 13 times in his two seasons with the club in League One, therefore at the start of this season, it was believed that he would be allowed to depart.
However, Christian Walton’s injury at the start of the season paved the way for Hladky, who has now become the club’s first choice.
The international goalkeeper has played every league game this season, but the club may face a difficult decision this summer, as his contract is about to expire, and it is unclear what Ipswich intend to do.
As previously said, much of what Ipswich decides to do may be determined by the level in which the team will play next season.
Another season in the Championship, and Kieran McKenna may elect to stay with Hladky, but promotion may force the club to make a change, despite Hladky’s importance to their success.
So, a lot will depend on those variables, but if Ipswich does decide to pursue a different direction, Hladky will most likely leave the club when his contract expires, necessitating the search for a suitable replacement.
The Tractor Boys will not want to spend a lot of money if they don’t have to, so recent news concerning Viktor Johansson’s situation at Rotherham United, as well as the Millers’ relegation, could be something to keep an eye on for Ipswich Town.
It was recently disclosed that Johansson’s contract includes a seven-figure clause that can be triggered by any interested party.
This was agreed upon when the custodian signed a new contract with the Millers in January last year, which is now valid until the summer of 2025.
So, if Ipswich wants the custodian, they only need to match the release clause and will be free to speak with the player.
This season, the 25-year-old has been a fantastic player for a team that has underperformed and, as previously said, has been relegated back to League One.
