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By 247sportcity | Tuesday, January 20, 2026
IPSWICH, SUFFOLK – As the midnight oil burns at Portman Road, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle aren’t the only clubs making moves. In the heart of the Championship promotion dogfight, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has reportedly identified his “missing piece.” According to explosive reports from Football Insider, the Tractor Boys are plotting a late-window swoop for Bristol City’s versatile forward, Anis Mehmeti.
The timing of this revelation is nothing short of cinematic. The news broke just 25 hours before the two sides are set to clash on the pitch at Portman Road in a vital midweek fixture. For Mehmeti, it is a chance to audition in front of his potential future employers; for Bristol City, it is a desperate race to protect an asset that is rapidly slipping through their fingers.
The Contract Stand-off: Why Now?
The core of this transfer saga lies in a single date: June 30, 2026. That is when Anis Mehmeti’s current contract at Ashton Gate expires. Despite ongoing negotiations and a reported “breakthrough” attempt by the Robins’ board, the 25-year-old Albanian international has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.
With just over five months remaining on his contract, the January window represents the final opportunity for Bristol City to command a transfer fee. If they don’t sell now, they risk losing a player who cost them a club-record fee from Wycombe Wanderers for absolutely nothing in the summer.
“Ipswich are looking to show their hand,” the report states. “They know the financial vulnerability at Ashton Gate and are prepared to test City’s resolve with a cut-price offer that could be too good to turn down for a player with five months left.”
The McKenna Connection: A Hale End Reunion?
One of the most intriguing subplots to this move is the history between the player and the manager. During his time as a youth coach in the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, Kieran McKenna worked with a young Anis Mehmeti.
McKenna is known for his ability to improve “technical, high-ceiling” players—much like he has done with the likes of Conor Chaplin and Leif Davis. He views Mehmeti not just as a winger, but as a multi-functional “inside forward” who can operate across the front three or as a creative #10. In a system as fluid as McKenna’s, Mehmeti’s tactical intelligence is seen as a perfect fit.
[Table: Anis Mehmeti – The 2025/26 Statistical Explosion]
| Metric (Championship) | Anis Mehmeti (Bristol City) | Town Target Profile |
| Goals | 8 | High Production |
| Assists | 6 | Creative Output |
| Successful Dribbles | 2.4 (per 90) | Line-Breaking Ability |
| Key Passes | 1.9 (per 90) | Chance Creation |
| Versatility | LW / RW / CAM | Hybrid Utility |
The Promotion Stakes: Middlesbrough, Town, and the ‘Hellberg Factor’
Ipswich Town’s pursuit of Mehmeti is fueled by the frantic race for automatic promotion to the Premier League. As of today, the Tractor Boys find themselves in a nail-biting position:
- 2nd Place: Middlesbrough (49 pts)
- 3rd Place: Ipswich Town (47 pts)
While Town have a game in hand due to their postponed fixture against Portsmouth, they are feeling the heat from Kim Hellberg’s resurgent Middlesbrough. To bridge the gap, McKenna knows he needs “proven Championship quality” that can hit the ground running. Mehmeti, with his 26 goals and 9 assists since joining the Robins, fits that description perfectly.
The Bristol City Crisis: A “Huge Blow” to Struber’s Plans
For Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber, losing Mehmeti would be a catastrophic development. The Robins are currently 9th in the table, just three points off the play-off places. Mehmeti has been their “shining light” during a season marred by an injury crisis in BS3.
If the board decides to “cash in” on their star man to avoid a free transfer, it would effectively signal a white flag on their own play-off ambitions. However, with Mehmeti’s wages currently estimated at £9,000 per week, Ipswich could easily offer a package that triples his salary, making it almost impossible for the player to refuse.
The “Bitter” History: From Carrow Road to Portman Road?
In a twist that will surely pique the interest of the local faithful, Mehmeti actually progressed through the ranks at Ipswich’s arch-rivals, Norwich City.
After being released by the Canaries in 2020, he took the long road back to the top through non-league and Wycombe. If he were to sign for Ipswich and fire them to the Premier League, it would be the ultimate “revenge of the ex” story for the London-born playmaker.
Final Verdict: A Midweek Audition
Tonight’s clash at Portman Road is no longer just a league game; it is a scouting mission, a negotiation table, and a high-stakes drama all rolled into one. If Mehmeti stars for Bristol City tonight, his price tag—and Ipswich’s desperation—will only rise.
With the window closing in less than two weeks, the “Tractor Boys” are ready to raid. Whether Bristol City can hold the line or if they will succumb to the financial logic of the “contract countdown” remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Anis Mehmeti is the man everyone will be watching tonight.