Ipswich Town agree €20m Abdoul Ouattara deal after Julio Enciso breakthrough

Ipswich Town have reportedly agreed a €20 million deal to sign RC Strasbourg defender Abdoul Ouattara, with the Ivory Coast youngster expected to become the club's latest summer arrival after Julio Enciso.

The newly-promoted Premier League side have moved quickly to complete another piece of business, with reports in France claiming Ouattara has already travelled to England ahead of his medical and the final stages of the transfer.

According to Foot Mercato, Ipswich have already reached an agreement on personal terms with Ouattara before accelerating negotiations with Strasbourg.

The two clubs are now understood to have agreed a transfer, paving the way for the versatile defender to reunite with Julio Enciso, who is also on the verge of joining Gary O'Neil's side on a permanent deal.

Enciso reached an agreement with Ipswich earlier this week and has already travelled to complete his medical, with Ouattara now set to follow the same path to Portman Road.

L'Equipe has also confirmed the transfer is close to completion, reporting that Ipswich and Strasbourg have agreed a €20m deal for the 21-year-old.

The French newspaper adds that Ouattara has flown to England, where he is expected to undergo his medical before signing a five-year contract with the Tractor Boys.

The defender remains under contract with Strasbourg until 2029, while Transfermarkt currently values him at €15m.

A product of Strasbourg's academy, Ouattara broke into the first team in 2024 and has since made 62 senior appearances for the Ligue 1 club.

One of his biggest strengths is his versatility. Although primarily a right-back, he has featured on both sides of the defence, operated as a wing-back on either flank, played in attacking positions and even been used in midfield.

Neither Foot Mercato nor L'Equipe indicate where Gary O'Neil intends to deploy the Ivorian, but his ability to fill multiple roles could make him a valuable option throughout the Premier League season. However, his exact role is likely to become clearer once he joins first-team training.

Ouattara is expected to undergo his medical before officially signing his five-year contract with Ipswich. Once the deal is completed, attention is likely to turn towards integrating both him and Julio Enciso into Gary O'Neil's squad ahead of the Premier League campaign. If confirmed, the pair would become two of Ipswich's most significant additions before the transfer window closes.

Can Abdoul Ouattara establish himself as Ipswich's first-choice right-back, or will his versatility see him used in multiple positions this season?