Ipswich have reached an agreement to sign Julio Enciso from Strasbourg, with the move now set up rather than merely discussed. The fee has not been disclosed, and BBC Sport reported that Gary O'Neil pushed for an early reunion after working with Enciso at Strasbourg last season.
The timing is the obvious story. O'Neil was appointed manager at Portman Road this summer, and this is an early sign of the kind of recruitment he wants to drive. Enciso also knows the club already, having returned to Portman Road after a six-month loan spell in 2025.
O'Neil's first clear stamp
Ipswich have already made 10 major signings this summer, so this is part of a broad rebuild rather than a one-off splash. Enciso is a tidy fit for that kind of window because he arrives with some competitive rhythm, not as a player still waiting for minutes.
His 2026 sample is small, with only 5 appearances in all competitions, but the early rating of 6.99 suggests he has not arrived in poor shape. That is useful for Ipswich, who do not need a long bedding-in period if the agreement turns into a completed move quickly.
The fee question remains open
BBC Sport also reported that it is unclear whether the move would surpass the £24m Ipswich paid for Emersonn. For now, the only firm point is that an agreement exists and the club have moved early to get Enciso back.
Ipswich begin their Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on 22 August, so there is still time for the deal to be wrapped up before the season starts. The key detail is already in place: O'Neil wanted the reunion, and Ipswich have acted on it.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
