Luongo and Morsy examples suggest Ipswich Town know what they're doing with Sheffield Wednesday move: View | OneFootball

It has been an outstanding season for Ipswich Town in the Championship so far.

The Tractor Boys were promoted from League One last season, and they have seamlessly made the step up to the second tier, spending much of the campaign in the automatic promotion places.

It was a tough festive period for Ipswich as they endured a five-game winless run, but they returned to winning ways with a crucial 2-1 win over Sunderland at Portman Road on Saturday.

Kieran McKenna's side currently sit second in the table, three points clear of third-placed Southampton, and they are back in action when they make the trip to face leaders Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Monday night.

It has been a busy start to the January transfer window for the Tractor Boys, with Jeremy Sarmiento and Lewis Travis arriving on loan from West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers respectively, and there could be more new additions at the club over the coming weeks.

Ipswich were linked with Sheffield Wednesday winger Marvin Johnson in the summer, and The Star revealed on Wednesday night that the Tractor Boys have reignited their interest in the 33-year-old.

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Ipswich have had a £1 million bid rejected by the Owls for Johnson, but there have been conflicting reports, with the East Anglian Daily Times reporting that no offer has been lodged and claiming that the club would be unwilling to pay a significant fee for him.

Some Tractor Boys supporters may be slightly underwhelmed by the links with Johnson, but they should consider two notable examples before questioning the club's interest in the winger.

Ipswich fans should look to Morsy and Luongo examples amid Marvin Johnson rumours

Ipswich have made some standout signings since the takeover by Gamechanger 20 Ltd in 2021, but the arrival of midfielders Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo would have been unlikely to excite supporters at the time.

Morsy joined the Tractor Boys from Middlesbrough in August 2021 as part of an influx of summer signings under then manager Paul Cook.

The Egypt international had been a consistent performer at Championship level for Boro and Wigan Athletic previously, but few could have predicted the impact he has made in Suffolk.

Morsy was named Ipswich's club captain in October 2021, and he led the club back to the Championship last season, with his performances earning him a place in the League One PFA Team of the Year.

The 30-year-old's fine form has continued in the second tier, and he has scored two goals and provided three assists in 25 appearances in all competitions, putting in a host of commanding performances in the middle of the park.

Luongo made the move to Portman Road last January after his release by Middlesbrough, and there were question marks over the decision to sign him after his struggles at the Riverside Stadium.

After rejecting the offer of a new contract at Sheffield Wednesday, Luongo joined Middlesbrough on a short-term deal in September 2022, but he did not make a single appearance for the club prior to his release in January.

Luongo arrived in Suffolk at a time when Ipswich's promotion push was faltering, but his introduction to the team coincided with an upturn in form for McKenna's men, and the Tractor Boys did not lose a single game with the midfielder in the side for the rest of the season.

The partnership between Luongo and Morsy has been an integral part of Ipswich's recent success, and the former Australia international has remained a regular in the Championship, scoring two goals and registering one assist in 21 appearances in all competitions this campaign.

While some may be surprised by the links with Johnson, the improvement in Morsy and Luongo under McKenna offers hope as to what could be possible should the winger make the switch to Portman Road.

Johnson starred for Wednesday as they achieved promotion from League One last season, but he was frozen out by former manager Xisco Munoz at the start of the campaign.

He was brought back into the fold following the appointment of Danny Rohl in October, and he has impressed for the Owls since his return to action, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 13 games.

Johnson is a more than capable performer at Championship level, and he would add useful versatility to the Tractor Boys' squad with his ability to play at left-back or in a more advanced position.

Ipswich are right to be reluctant to pay a sizeable fee for Johnson, but should they complete a deal for the winger, he could prove to be a shrewd addition.