Ipswich Town and Stoke City will both look to strengthen their squads in their hunt for promotion when January arrives. The Potters are in fourth place, three points behind the machines, while ITFC are six points behind second place and three points behind Stoke.
Kieran McKenna And Mark Robins are hoping for board support before January, and one player mentioned as a target for both clubs is German defender Antonios Papadopoulos.
Football insider have reported that Ipswich Town and Stoke City are both monitoring the Lugano centre-back. The defender has Champions League experience from his time at Borussia Dortmund and is on the Championship duo’s radar as he enters the final 18 months of his contract.
Who is Ipswich Town, Stoke City transfer target Antonios Papadopoulos?
Papadopoulos signed for Borussia Dortmund II in 2021 after impressive performances for Hallescher FC in Germany’s third tier.
The German played eight games for Borrusia Dortmund’s seniors, two of which were in the Champions League. He failed to consistently break into the first team, resulting in a move to Swiss side Lugano.
Papadopoulos is a regular starter at Conference League rivals Lugano. He has made 17 appearances in all competitions for the side this season, playing mainly as a centre-back, while also boasting a history as a midfielder.
Lugano is currently fifth in Switzerland, where the top four earns a European place. That could be on the defender’s mind if one of the champion duo replaces him.
Antonios Papadopoulos’ club appearances
| Club | Games |
| FC Lugano | 64 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 8 |
| Borussia Dortmund II | 70 |
| Hallescher FC | 59 |
| VfR Aalen | 13 |
Do Ipswich Town need Papadopoulos?
Ipswich Town had a difficult start to the season, which they have now turned around as they steam towards the play-offs.
ITFC already have three centre-backs rotating in and out of the starting XI, with one of Cedric Kipre or Jacob Greaves usually partnered by Dara O’Shea. It means there isn’t necessarily a desperate need for a centre-back, but the 26-year-old could come in as a long-term player who can provide cover even if he moves up to the Premier League.
The defense has not been a problem this season, conceding the second fewest in the league alongside Coventry City. Potential rival Papadopoulos’ signature, Stoke City, have conceded the fewest in the league.
ITFC’s next match is against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening and that is also their match. A win could put them above Stoke City and into fourth place.
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