Ipswich Town Eyes Julio Enciso Reunion with Gary O’Neil

Ipswich Town are weighing up a move to bring Julio Enciso back to Portman Road, with Gary O’Neil pushing hard to reunite with the Paraguayan forward he worked with at RC Strasbourg Alsace, according to Sky Sports.

O’Neil wants a familiar spark

O’Neil has only just walked through the door at Ipswich, but he already knows exactly the kind of attacking edge he wants. Enciso fits that profile. The 22-year-old spent the second half of the 2024–25 season on loan with the Tractor Boys from Brighton & Hove Albion, leaving a clear impression despite limited time: 13 matches, two goals, three assists, and flashes of the explosive talent that first took him to the Premier League.

Now, with O’Neil fresh from his stint in Alsace, the link is obvious. He saw Enciso at close quarters for Strasbourg and watched him grow into a genuine threat in Ligue 1.

Strasbourg breakout and rising value

Enciso’s year in France has done more than just restore his confidence. It has rebuilt his reputation.

Since arriving at Strasbourg last summer, he has become one of their key attacking outlets, racking up 42 appearances in all competitions and directly contributing to 21 goals — 12 strikes of his own and nine assists. Those numbers underline why Strasbourg tied him down on a long-term deal and why prising him away will not be straightforward.

His contract with RCSA runs until 2030, a powerful piece of leverage for the French club. Transfermarkt currently values him at €25m, a figure that reflects both his production and his potential, and sets a clear starting point for any negotiation.

World Cup stage, bigger spotlight

Enciso’s stock has climbed beyond club level. The Caaguazú-born forward played a central role in Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign, helping drive his country all the way to the round of 16.

The standout moment? Their elimination of Germany, a result that sent a shockwave through the tournament and pushed several Paraguayan internationals, Enciso included, firmly into the global shop window.

Ipswich’s gamble – or opportunity?

For Ipswich, the equation is simple but expensive. They know exactly what Enciso can bring to Portman Road: pace, direct running, and end product, already tested in both English football and a major international tournament.

The question now is whether they can turn O’Neil’s admiration and past working relationship into a concrete deal, and whether Ipswich are prepared to step into a €25m conversation for a player they once had on loan.

If they do, Enciso’s return would not just be a reunion. It would be a statement about where Ipswich intend to go next.