A major update has emerged for Ipswich, one relating to the “influential” Rotherham midfielder Matt Crooks.

What's the talk?

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich are on the verge of submitting an offer for Rotherham midfielder Matt Crooks. Paul Cook has identified Crooks as a player who could strengthen this unit at Portman Road and the Blues are now ready to make their move.

The report claims Crooks, who has one year left on his contract at Rotherham, was previously attracting interest from Championship Nottingham Forest. Chris Hughton's side have since exited the race for his signature, with Ipswich now preparing to swoop in.

Back in November 2020, Rotherham boss Paul Warne hailed Crooks as being “influential” to the Millers in recent seasons and backed him to fight his way out of bad form, amid links with an exit from the club. He told The Star:

“I don't know how many of my players are absolutely 100 per cent but I think Crooksy sticks out because he was so influential over the last couple of years.

“If (Mohamed) Salah doesn't play well for Liverpool everyone notices. With Crooksy, he is getting more like the player we want him to be.
“Has the transfer rumour and anything else that has gone on in his life affected him? Maybe. But that is just an excuse. It might not have. “Every player has dips and troughs in his form and they play their way out of it. Crooksy is doing a lot to get out the other side of it.”

Fans will be buzzing

Ipswich fans will be buzzing by this news. It shows a sign of intent from the club to push on and progress in the transfer window in order to mount a promotion push next season.

Crooks is one of their rivals' key players and taking him away from Rotherham could weaken one of their competitors whilst improving their own squad in the process.

The 27-year-old produced six goals and three assists in the Championship for Rotherham last season, with Michael Smith the only player who was able to directly contribute to more goals for Paul Warne's side.

Smith racked up 10 goals and three assists in the second tier, whilst Freddie Lapado equalled Crooks' nine involvements with nine Championship goals. This shows that Crooks is one of Rotherham's most dangerous players at the top end of the pitch and losing him could be a big blow to their squad.

Crooks, who is on £1.9k-per-week at Rotherham, could be an excellent addition to Ipswich's squad. James Norwood was the only Ipswich player who managed more than six goals in League One last season, which suggests that Crooks' goalscoring could be a major boost to Cook's options in attack as he was able to score six in a division higher than the third tier.

Therefore, Ipswich fans will be buzzing to hear that the club are serious about pursuing a deal for the Rotherham star.

AND in other news, Get it done: Ipswich must seal swoop for “exceptional” £6k-p/w ace, Cook would love it...