Ipswich set to smash Championship transfer record as fans left stunned by signing

Ipswich Town are set to smash the Championship transfer record in a blockbuster deal, leaving fans stunned over the proposed signing.

Ipswich have lost Liam Delap this summer following their relegation from the Premier League.

Delap joined Chelsea, who activated the player's £30 million release clause after The Tractor Boys suffered relegation last season.

The club are also set to sanction the sale of Nathan Broadhead, who is on the verge of joining Wrexham in a deal worth £7.5 million.

Ipswich have generated almost £40 million in sales and have used the funds to sign Dutch midfielder Azor Matusiwa from Rennes for £10 million.

And it appears they have their eyes on another signing in what would be a Championship transfer record.

According to The Northern Echo, Hayden Hackney is set to hold talks with Ipswich officials after Middlesbrough accepted a bid in the region of £20 million.

Middlesbrough have accepted Ipswich Town's £20 million offer for Hayden Hackney. Image: Getty

Per the report, it remains unclear whether Hackney will opt for a move to Ipswich or remain at Boro to consider his options for the remainder of the transfer window.

Boro, however, have accepted a total package worth around £20 million from Ipswich, with the vast majority of the fee being paid up front, which was a key part of the discussions.

The club's proposed signing of star midfielder Hackney stunned fans on social media as some bemoaned parachute payments.

One X user fumed: "Get rid of parachute payments."

A second tweeted: "But parachute payments aren't unfair."

A third argued: "Unreal business if they pull it off! Should be going to the PL."

A Manchester United fan added: "Would have been a perfect [Christian] Eriksen replacement."

Hayden Hackney was part of England's under-21 squad for their Euros triumph this summer. Image: Getty

Hackney, 23, joined Boro's youth academy in 2011 and graduated from their set-up before breaking into the first-team.

Other than a loan spell at Scunthorpe United in the 2021/22 season, he has spent his whole career at Boro.

Hackney has made 114 appearances across all competitions for the club.

What are the most expensive transfers in Championship history?

If Hackney's move to Ipswich gets the green light, then it will be the most expensive transfer in Championship history.

Per Transfermarkt, the current record stands at £15.5 million when Burnley signed Mike Tresor, narrowly ahead of Wolves' acquisition of Ruben Neves for £15.4 million.

Check out the top ten below:

1 - Mike Tresor - £15.5m (Burnley)

2 - Ruben Neves - £15.4m (Wolves)

3 - Britt Assombalonga - £14.7m (Middlesbrough)

4 - Joao Carvalho - £12.9m (Nottingham Forest)

5 - Helder Costa - £12.9m (Wolves)

6 - Ross McCormack - £12.3m (Aston Villa)

7 - Joel Piroe - £12m (Leeds United)

8 - Harry Wilson - £12m (Fulham)

9 - Benik Afobe - £11.6m (Stoke City)

10 - Jonathan Kodjia - £11m (Aston Villa)