Luton Town are closing in on Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi in a deal that is set to begin as a loan with an obligation to buy, with the total package understood to be worth around £3 million, as first reported by Sky Sports.
Deal Framework and Timeline
The developing agreement would see Al-Hamadi join initially on loan, with a built-in obligation for Luton to make the move permanent at a later stage, taking the overall value to about £3 million. That structure is a common route for clubs managing late window cash flow and ensuring registration is completed before the cut off.
Reports suggest that the forward is en route for medical checks and that the clubs have reached an agreement in principle, which leaves personal terms and final documentation to be completed before the window closes this evening.
Al-Hamadi has been on Luton’s radar throughout the summer. Earlier interest had cooled while the Hatters prioritised other areas, but the need for another forward option and the availability of a loan-plus-obligation solution have brought the move back into focus at the end of the window.
Manager Matt Bloomfield was asked about the player in July and declined to comment on individuals, while acknowledging that the club remained active in the market if the right opportunity appeared at the right price.
Who Is Al-Hamadi?
Al-Hamadi joined Ipswich from AFC Wimbledon in January 2024 for a fee around £1 million after a prolific spell for the Dons that returned 27 goals in 48 matches in all competitions. Since stepping up, minutes have been harder to come by. In the Premier League he made 11 appearances last season before heading out on loan to Stoke City, where he scored two goals in 15 matches.
This season he has featured once in the league for Kieran McKenna’s side and played the full 120 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Bromley, where Ipswich were knocked out on penalties and the striker missed during the shootout.
The Iraq international has three goals in 14 senior caps and profiles as a penalty area forward with the physical presence to occupy centre backs and the mobility to press from the front. His previous spell in League One with Wimbledon highlighted quick movements across the near post and a willingness to shoot early, which are traits that often translate well when a side creates volume from wide areas.
It is also worth pointing out a personal link in his career path, since Al-Hamadi previously credited then Wycombe midfielder Matt Bloomfield as an important figure when he moved to the Chairboys after leaving Swansea City in 2021, a connection that now adds an extra human detail to this proposed switch.
What Al-Hamadi Would Offer Luton
Luton have been working to add finishing and depth at centre forward, and Al-Hamadi’s profile suggests an immediate fit. He is comfortable receiving to feet with his back to goal, which allows midfield runners to advance beyond him, and he attacks crosses aggressively, a useful trait when matches tighten late on.
The loan with obligation structure also lowers the short-term cost while giving the club control over a player with development headroom. If the move is completed, competition for the starting role should increase, with Al-Hamadi offering a different balance of hold-up play and penalty box instincts to existing options.
There is also a pathway argument. Regular minutes at Kenilworth Road would be more likely than at Portman Road, where Ipswich have continued to refresh their forward line. For Luton, landing a 23-year-old international on a structured deal gives both upside and a controllable asset if he hits form. The timeline is tight, but the steps described by the local report indicate the transfer is at an advanced stage.
Site Opinion
This looks a sensible late window play. Al-Hamadi brings energy, near-post movement and a strong work rate, which suit the way Luton try to turn pressure into chances. The loan with obligation model protects cash planning while giving the coaching staff time to integrate him properly.
If the finishing he showed at Wimbledon reappears with consistent minutes, the reported £3 million package could prove to be good value, and the signing would broaden Luton’s attacking options for a demanding autumn schedule.
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