Chelsea could be set for a significant cash boost this summer, thanks to a shrewd clause included in the contract that saw Omari Hutchinson move to Ipswich Town last year.
Hutchinson has caught the eye of several top-tier clubs following two impressive seasons with Ipswich, that has seen him become one of the most productive wingers in Europe. The 21-year-old initially joined the Tractor Boys on loan in the summer of 2023 and played a key role in their promotion-winning campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna was keen to secure Hutchinson's services on a permanent basis, leading to a £22million transfer last summer. However, Chelsea ensured they included a sell-on clause in the deal, entitling them to 25% of any future transfer fee.
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It's understood that Chelsea also have first refusal on Hutchinson if another club tries to sign him, with the player having the final say. This savvy move by the Blues could result in a substantial windfall as Hutchinson is now valued at just under £19m, according to Transfermarkt.
This clause mirrors a similar strategy employed by Arsenal when they sold Hutchinson back to Chelsea in 2022. Hutchinson began his career at Chelsea's Cobham training ground before moving to Charlton Athletic in 2012 and then to Arsenal in 2015, reports Football London.
After Chelsea opted to bring Hutchinson back to west London, Arsenal managed to secure a sell-on clause believed to be between 15 and 20%, which resulted in a tidy profit when Chelsea sold Hutchinson to Ipswich last year.
Now, it appears that Chelsea could soon see a return on their investment in Hutchinson. The skilful winger is reportedly being eyed by Everton, Brentford, West Ham and Fulham, with Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also said to be interested.
The 21-year-old is understood to be keen on continuing to play at the top level, something that relegated Ipswich can't offer at present. His impressive stats certainly lend weight to his ambition.
Only Liverpool's new star Florian Wirtz and PSG's dynamic winger Doue completed more dribbles last season than Hutchinson, who clocked up 95.
Compared to the £100m, potentially rising to £116m, that Liverpool recently splashed out for Wirtz, Hutchinson's anticipated fee will be relatively modest in comparison. Doue has also joined the ranks of Europe's most sought-after stars following his standout performances in PSG's Champions League triumph in May.
While he may not be a prolific scorer, Hutchinson proved this season that he can hold his own against the best, netting goals against Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
After initially playing for Jamaica, Hutchinson earned his first cap for the England Under-21s in August 2024. In an interview with the East Anglian Daily Times this March, he shared his emotions about playing at the pinnacle of football.
"It's a dream come true for me to play in the Premier League, facing the biggest teams in the world," he said. "All I've tried to do is perform as best as I can. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but I think it builds character for me and the team as well."
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