This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Since joining Ipswich Town from AFC Wimbledon in the 2024 January transfer window after a stunning first-half of the campaign with the Dons in League Two, life hasn’t been plain sailing for Ali Al-Hamadi.
The Iraq international scored 13 goals and registered six assists for the London-based outfit in just 23 league games before making his way to the Championship with the Tractor Boys for just over £1 million, as they pursued their second successive promotion and a place in the Premier League.
He arrived as a squad player, but the 23-year-old made a strong impact at Portman Road, scoring four times in 14 matches and he was crucial in helping the Suffolk side to the top flight, as their promotion was confirmed at home to Huddersfield Town on the final day.
However, since that season, he has found it tough to make an impact in the Premier League, Championship and League One, having been loaned out to Stoke City for the second half of 2024/25 and then League One side Luton Town in the summer just gone.
But, now, questions are being asked about his future at Ipswich, given his current situation at Kenilworth Road.
Ipswich Town urged to part ways with Ali Al-Hamadi permanently this summer
After joining the Hatters on loan in the summer, it was reported by Sky Sports that the deal will become permanent if certain targets are met and is worth around £3 million.
While it is not known what those goals are, if he does not achieve those, he will return to the Tractor Boys.
And as it stands, with Luton’s promotion push faltering and Al-Hamadi being injured for much of the campaign, it’s looking more and more unlikely that the unknown criteria – whether it’s based on Jack Wilshere’s side making it back to the Championship or the Iraqi forward himself scoring a certain amount of goals – will be met, leaving Ipswich without a £2 million profit.
Football League World’s Ipswich Fan Pundit, Adam Wilkin, now believes that there’s little future for Al-Hamadi at Portman Road following the end of his loan stint at Luton.
“I think the purpose of sending Al-Hamadi out on loan was in the hope that he would hit his goal-scoring form that he had with Wimbledon before we signed him, and it hasn’t quite worked out with the injury issues,” Adam told FLW.
“I think, given where we are as a club now, we’re going to be pushing for the Premier League. I don’t think he’s got a future at Ipswich Town. But I think how do you maximise the value out of him? And you’ve got to hope that he starts scoring more goals, really.”
“There’s definitely a good player in there who can score goals at Championship level, I think.
“He proved that when he first joined us and helped get us over the line as more of a squad player. If we were to end up in the Championship again next season, I think he could fight for his place.
“But, he’s one that you’re probably looking at potentially taking a loss on now and moving on to a League One club in the summer if you can get the money or at least a decent amount of the money back for him.”
Ali Al-Hamadi needs a fresh start away from Ipswich Town this summer
It’s not been the loan move that Luton, Ipswich or Al-Hamadi would have hoped for. However, there are still plenty of games for the striker to mark his mark at Kenilworth Road between now and the end of the season, in what could be potentially a shop window moment.