Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna on future of Napoli loanee Jens Cajuste..
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna admits he doesn’t know what the future holds for loan star Jens Cajuste.
The Swedish midfielder, who has been one of the team’s stand-out performers in the Premier League this season, is now coming towards the end of his spell from Napoli.
It’s understood that Ipswich had an obligation to buy the 25-year-old for an eight-figure fee should they survive in the top flight, but that clause has not been triggered after the Blues’ relegation was sealed last weekend with four games to go.
In an extensive interview with the EADT and Ipswich Star, Cajuste recently said that he loved life in Suffolk and admitted it was a case of ‘wait and see’ regarding what’s next.
Asked whether there’s any chance the club could keep Cajuste in the Championship, McKenna replied: “I think those conversations are for down the line.
“Would we like to keep Jens? He’s somebody else’s player, so I never like to answer too much, but I think it would be obvious.
“He’s been one of the top performers this season and to do that in a team that’s found it a big challenge, with some injury issues that he’s been carrying, and in a new league and new country – I think it’s testament to his quality.
“He’s a player that we like a lot, but he’s a Napoli player. Any conversations won’t take place until the end of the season.”
Cajuste, who has now played in the top divisions of Denmark, France, Italy and England, still has three years left on his contract at Napoli.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna will not discuss future of Napoli midfielder Jens Cajuste until end of Premier League season..
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has insisted that discussions over Jens Cajuste’s future will not take place until the end of the campaign.
The Sweden international, who joined the Tractor Boys on a season-long loan deal last summer from Serie A outfit Napoli, is widely regarded to have been one of the club’s ‘top performers’ during a tough term back in the Premier League.
Ipswich are believed to have an option to buy the midfielder this summer, but with the club preparing for life back in the Championship in 2025/25, doubts have been raised as to whether Cajuste would be prepared to drop into the second tier of English football.
Jens Cajuste is on loan at Ipswich Town from Napoli. Picture: Barry GoodwinJens Cajuste is on loan at Ipswich Town from Napoli. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Nevertheless, with four games still to be played this season, McKenna has stressed those types of discussions are for another day.
“I think those conversations are for down the line. Would we like to have Jens at the club? That’s somebody else’s player, so I never like to answer too much, but I think it would be obvious,” he said.
“He’s been one of the top performers this season and to do that in a team that’s found it a big challenge and with some injury issues that he’s been carrying and in a new league and new country and everything, I think it’s testament to his quality.
“So yes, of course, he’s a player that we like a lot, but he’s Napoli’s player, he’s here on loan. Any conversations to the contrary, I think they won’t take place until the end of the season.”
Cajuste’s current deal with Napoli is due to expire in June 2028.
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