Omari Hutchinson has sealed a return to Ipswich from Chelsea (Image: Getty)
Omari Hutchinson has sealed an exit from Chelsea months after holding crunch talks over his future with former boss Mauricio Pochettino. The ex-Arsenal winger has rejoined Premier League newcomers Ipswich in a reported £22million deal.
Hutchinson helped Ipswich win promotion from the Championship last season. The 20-year-old scored 10 goals and provided five assists in the second tier.
He returned to Chelsea at the end of the Championship season and reportedly held talks with Pochettino over his future. According to The Athletic, Hutchinson had been asked to report to Cobham for the final few weeks of the Premier League season.
Pochettino has since left Chelsea and been replaced by Enzo Maresca. The Blues are set to receive £22m from Ipswich which will be beneficial for their hopes of avoiding a PSR breach.
The move comes after Hutchinson hoped he could return to Ipswich for next season. Speaking during a celebration in the East Anglian town in May, he said: “I hope so. I don’t know, we will see what the manager is saying and my agent. Right now, I am going to celebrate — I do not know what to do.”
Chelsea signed Hutchinson from Arsenal in 2022. Wide-ranging reports suggest that a percentage of the fee will be owed to the Gunners.
Hutchinson shone under Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna last season. McKenna was linked with the Chelsea job before deciding to remain at Portman Road and help Ipswich remain in the Premier League.
“We’re so pleased to bring Omari back on a permanent basis,” the Northern Irishman said.
Omari Hutchinson joined Chelsea from Arsenal in the summer of 2022 (Image: Getty)
“Omari is someone we all enjoyed working with last season and the staff, his teammates and supporters all saw how he grew and developed over the course of the year, which is testament to the hard work he put in.
“The impact he had on the team throughout the season, especially in the latter part, was evidence of that and he, like so many of his teammates, played a significant part in that success for the Club.
“We think Omari is a fantastic player and person to have at the Club for the long-term future. He has a hunger to improve and show that he can compete and thrive in the Premier League.”
Hutchinson has become Ipswich’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1917331/Chelsea-Arsenal-Premier-League-transfer