Leicester City, Watford, Norwich City, and Burnley are all interested in signing an EFL striker.
Following his strong start to the 2023-24 season, Colchester United forward Bradley Ihionvien has caught the attention of Premier League and Championship clubs.
The transfer window for English clubs may have only just closed a week ago, but reconnaissance for prospective January purchases has already begun.
Transfer preparations are a year-round process, with Premier League and Championship clubs frequently looking to the lower leagues for potential gems worth keeping an eye on or snatching up.
This summer, Colchester United of League Two did well to cash in on one of their talented young products, with full-back Junior Tchamadeu moving to Stoke City on deadline day.
Tchamadeu, who was voted League Two Young Player of the Season in 2022-23 and was named to the Team of the Year, joined the Potters for an undisclosed amount, despite Alan Nixon claiming in July that they had made a £1 million bid at the time.
The U’s are a team that gives young players an opportunity, and striker Bradley Ihionvien is the next youngster in Ben Garner’s squad who might go far.
According to Football Insider, the 19-year-old is being watched by clubs at a higher level after scoring twice in the first few weeks of the season.
According to the source, Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Burnley are keeping an eye on the teenager, while Championship clubs Watford, Norwich, and Leicester City are doing the same.
According to Football Insider, Ihionvien’s contract expires at the end of the season, and if a new contract is not agreed upon by January, the Essex club may have to cash in if there is still interest.
Who exactly is Bradley Ihionvien?
Ihionvien came through the Colchester United youth system and made his senior debut on the final day of the 2021-22 League Two season, coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over Hartlepool United.
He didn’t play for Col U’s first team last season, instead spending time on loan with Maldon & Tiptree, where he scored three goals in 18 games.
Since then, Colchester head coach Garner has promoted the kid into his first-team plans, supplementing his seasoned options such as Tom Hopper and John Akinde with the raw potential of Ihionvien, Luton Town loanee Joe Taylor, and Samson Tovide.
Ihionvien made his first Colchester start against MK Dons in August, and his first goal came off the bench against Gillingham the following week, when the U’s defeated the Kent club 3-0.
He then scored his second goal of the season from close range against Tranmere Rovers after coming on as a late substitution, with his recent development undoubtedly attracting interest from abroad.
Should Colchester make a move for Bradley Ihionvien?
Ihionvien, at the age of 19, appears to have some raw qualities that could be refined and nurtured.
He has pace and strength for such a young player, which might be improved in Colchester’s first-team context or at an under-21’s setup with a higher level of coaching.
It’s hardly surprising that clubs at a higher level are interested in Ihionvien, who has just broken into the first-team at Colchester and whose contract status is causing concern at the club.
With less than a year left on his contract, they may be helpless to prevent the youthful attacker from leaving, and if the situation remains unchanged in January and clubs are still interested and monitoring, there may be a need to cash in.
