The next Philogene: Ipswich & Southampton open talks to sign EFL starlet

After three promotions and a relegation under Kieran McKenna so far, Ipswich Town‘s wild ride will be hoping for something a little more serene next season – mere Premier League survival.

Both Sunderland and Leeds United have shown the way in 2025/26, bucking the trend of recent years, ensuring the Tractor Boys can attack next term with real optimism that they can better their previous, brief stint in the top-flight.

Much may well depend on the form of the two men who have led the charge in a goalscoring sense this season, in Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene, the wing pair netting 28 Championship goals between them in this successful promotion push.

Reports would suggest that McKenna is now ready to add to his attacking options even further, although they may face a fight from the likes of Southampton in the race to sign one exciting target.

Ipswich and Southampton making early moves to sign £500k starlet

Ahead of Ipswich’s last top-flight campaign, the onus was very much on signing young, exciting talent for the long-term, be it Clarke, Philogene, Liam Delap or Omari Hutchinson, with McKenna lasering in on players who had previously impressed in the EFL, albeit not necessarily in the Premier League.

That is a trend that could well be followed this time around, with the promoted side among those interested in AZ Alkmaar hotshot, Troy Parrott, with the Irishman previously spending much of his time in the Championship and League One away from former club Tottenham Hotspur.

A prolific presence in Holland and for his country, Parrott might well be a ready-made fit, although reports are also suggesting that Ipswich could be among the clubs ready to gamble on an exciting, rising star too, in the form of Huddersfield Town’s Cameron Ashia.

As reported by the Daily Mail, both McKenna’s side and the Saints appear to have already held talks regarding a deal for the 21-year-old, having ‘registered their interest’ in him.

That comes amid ‘initial enquiries’ from the likes of Celtic and Rangers, with Ashia also courting interest from a handful of Bundesliga clubs, in the form of Stuttgart and Hoffenheim.

For whoever does move to the front of the queue, the one-time Derby County man is likely to cost just £500k, despite having seen his contract extended by a further year.

Why Ashia could be the next Philogene at Ipswich

Southampton will have their own desire to bring Ashia to St Mary’s, although if he is to end up at Portman Road, the Tractor Boys could well be getting their next Philogene in the making.

Belatedly signed in January 2025, the ex-Aston Villa man enjoyed a strong 2025/26 campaign in front of goal, scoring 12 times despite only starting 24 Championship games all season.

It might never have worked out for the 24-year-old in his two spells at Villa Park, although he has flourished in the EFL, notably scoring five times for Cardiff City in 2022/23, while subsequently plundering 18 goals and assists a year later at Hull City.

It is only early days, although young Ashia looks to be cut from a similar cloth, another fleet-footed, fearless forward who does much of his best work off the left flank.

Indeed, like Philogene, he is so deadly cutting in onto his favoured right foot, memorably curling home a stunning effort against Leicester City back in August.

His desire to run at defenders and beat his man, just like Philogene, has also sparked exciting comparisons to Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, the Belgian currently leading Pep Guardiola’s title bid with three goals in his last two games.

Ashia’s form wasn’t quite that explosive in 2025/26, although he did still rack up nine goals and assists in 31 games in all competitions, in what was his first true season in senior football.

That included a return of three goals and three assists from just 21 games for the Terriers in League One, despite only starting four times, mirroring Philogene in proving something of a game-changer despite not being a regular starter.

He’s had to overcome the disappointment of his release from Derby County in 2023 – akin to Philogene’s frustrations at Villa – although having found solace with Huddersfield, the Englishman looks to be taking his opportunity with both hands.

It’s no surprise to see such a sparkling talent receiving such widespread interest, with both Ipswich and the Saints seemingly ready to pounce for what could be their next attacking sensation.