Ipswich Town Pursues Julio Enciso Reunion as O’Neil Targets Strasbourg Star

Ipswich Town are lining up a move to bring Julio Enciso back to Portman Road, with new manager Gary O’Neil pushing to reunite with the Paraguay international he coached at RC Strasbourg Alsace, according to Sky Sports.

Enciso, still only 22, left a strong impression during his brief spell in Suffolk. On loan from Brighton & Hove Albion for the second half of the 2024–25 season, he featured 13 times for the Tractor Boys, scoring twice and supplying three assists. It was a cameo stay, but one that hinted at a higher ceiling and left Ipswich fans wondering what a full season of the forward might look like.

O’Neil, freshly installed in the Ipswich dugout, knows exactly what he would be getting. He worked closely with Enciso in Alsace and has identified him as a key attacking target as he reshapes the squad in his own image. The attraction is obvious: a versatile, high-energy forward who can both finish moves and create them.

Enciso’s year in France has only strengthened that reputation. Since arriving at Strasbourg last summer, he has become one of their most productive players, racking up 42 appearances in all competitions and directly contributing to 21 goals — 12 of his own and nine laid on for teammates. Those numbers, spread across league and cup, mark him out as a difference-maker rather than a bit-part option.

His impact has not been confined to club football. Enciso travelled to the World Cup with Paraguay and played a central role in a campaign that caught the eye far beyond South America. Paraguay’s charge to the round of 16 included a headline-grabbing elimination of Germany, with the Caaguazú-born forward heavily involved in that upset and in the broader attacking thrust of the side.

All of that form comes at a price. Enciso is tied to Strasbourg on a long-term deal running until 2030, and his valuation has climbed accordingly. The specialist site Transfermarkt currently assesses him at €25m, a figure that underlines how far his stock has risen since his first Ipswich loan.

For Ipswich, the equation is simple but demanding. If they want to turn a fondly remembered loanee into a marquee signing, they will have to test Strasbourg’s resolve and Brighton’s stance, and do it at a level that reflects Enciso’s growing status on both the European and international stages.