Gary O'Neill's First Big Move? Ipswich Town Chase Southampton Star Tom Fellows

New Ipswich Town boss Gary O'Neill is set to make Southampton winger Tom Fellows one of his first transfer targets as he begins planning for the club's return to the Premier League, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

O'Neill was confirmed as the new Tractor Boys manager earlier this week after signing a three-year contract at Portman Road following the departure of Kieran McKenna, and the 43-year-old is already identifying players capable of helping Ipswich establish itself back among English football's elite.

Among the names high on his wanted list is Fellows, with sources indicating O'Neill is a long-term admirer of the talented attacker and believes he has all the attributes required to thrive in the Premier League.

Ipswich are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer, and Fellofws fits the profile of young, hungry and ambitious players O'Neill is keen to bring to Suffolk.

The 22-year-old joined Southampton in August 2025 on a four-year contract in a deal worth a reported £8million, with a further £2million in potential add-ons. 

Despite Southampton's disappointing failure to secure promotion, Fellows emerged as one of the club's standout young performers. 

IMPRESSED

He featured in 37 Championship matches last season and consistently impressed with his creativity, direct running and attacking threat.

The Saints were left heartbroken after losing to Hull City in the play-off final, a defeat which denied them an immediate return to the Premier League and could now leave them vulnerable to interest in some of their most highly-rated assets.

SportsBoom previously revealed that Everton and Leeds United both expressed an interest in Fellows earlier this year, while several other Premier League clubs have also tracked his progress closely.

Now Ipswich are ready to test Southampton's resolve as O'Neill looks to make an early statement in the transfer market.

Fellows is regarded as one of the brightest attacking talents outside the Premier League. 

A UEFA European Under-21 Championship winner with England, he has already built an impressive reputation despite still being at the early stages of his career.

The Birmingham-born playmaker is capable of operating as an attacking midfielder, forward or out wide and is widely admired for his pace, technical quality and ability to create chances.

EXCITING TALENT

Before moving to Southampton, Fellows made 85 senior appearances for West Bromwich Albion and was named the club's Player of the Year on two occasions. 

He also enjoyed a valuable loan spell at Crawley Town, where he gained important first-team experience before establishing himself as one of the Championship's most exciting young attacking players.

O'Neill is understood to believe Fellows has both the quality and mentality needed to make the step up to Premier League football and sees him as a player capable of becoming a key figure in Ipswich's attacking plans.

While no formal bid has yet been lodged, Ipswich are expected to explore the possibility of a deal in the coming weeks.

Southampton are unlikely to let one of its prized young stars leave without a fight, but Fellows would arguably be crazy to turn down the opportunity of testing himself in the Premier League.

And with O'Neill determined to put his stamp on Ipswich's squad, a move for the highly-rated winger could become one of the summer's most intriguing transfer battles.