Ipswich Town have made AFC Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi a major target in the final week of the transfer window.

The EADT and Ipswich Star understands that the Blues will look to thrash out a deal for the 21-year-old before next Thursday's 11pm deadline.

Al-Hamadi has scored an impressive 27 goals in 48 appearances for League Two club Wimbledon and is currently away at the Asian Cup with Iraq. 

On the bench for the opening two games, Al-Hamadi started in a 3-2 win against Vietnam yesterday. Iraq have topped Group D with maximum points – including an impressive win against Japan – and could go deep into a tournament that finishes on February 10. 

Having grown up in Liverpool, Al-Hamadi started out as a youth team player at Tranmere before joining Swansea’s academy at the age of 15. 

After a trial at Derby County, he went on to sign for League One club Wycombe Wanderers in November 2021 and was immediately sent on loan to National League club Bromley. 

He made 13 appearances for the Chairboys in the first half of last season – just one of them a league start – before moving to AFC Wimbledon in the January transfer window. 

Following his impressive form for the Dons, the 6ft 2in front man – who can also play wide – has been linked to the likes of Leeds, Sunderland, Blackburn, Derby and Peterborough over recent months. 

AFC Wimbledon are currently 10th in League Two. Speaking after a Boxing Day 1-0 home defeat to Sutton, manager Johnnie Jackson insisted: “We have no interest in selling Ali in January. He’s very much a part of what we’re doing here. 

“We all hope he’s going to stay. You know what football is like, if a ridiculous offer comes in then you have to consider all your opinions. But the club is very clear in their stance that there is no desire to sell Ali in this window – we’re all on the same page about that.” 

It’s been reported that Wimbledon are seeking a fee of around £1.5m for a player who is under contract until 2025. 

A long-term injury to George Hirst, Tottenham’s recall of Dane Scarlett and Freddie Ladapo being loaned out to Charlton has left Town boss Kieran McKenna short of striker options as his side push for back-to-back promotions into the Premier League. 

Kayden Jackson has started the last two games as the central front man, with Nathan Broadhead (primarily an inside left forward during his time at the club) having been utilised there in-game too. 

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It's understood that the Blues, ideally, want to add two new strikers before next Thursday’s deadline. 

Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore remains a loan target, but Ipswich, conscious of Financial Fair Play limits that have made for a generally dry market, may be priced out of a move.  

Talks with Blackburn over Sam Gallagher have gone cold for now, but could yet be renewed. 

Meanwhile, it's been confirmed that Fulham’s Jay Stansfield, another target, will remain at Birmingham City for the rest of the season.