Brighton & Hove Albion forward Julio Enciso is set to join Premier League rivals Ipswich Town on loan for the rest of the season.
The deal for the Paraguayan forward’s move to Portman Road is understood to not include an option to buy. Ipswich will cover his wages in full.
Enciso has been keen on a move away from the Amex Stadium in a bid to get more game time. Serie A side Atalanta are among clubs at home and abroad that have also expressed an interest in the 20-year-old playmaker.
Enciso was recalled to the starting line-up by head coach Fabian Hurzeler in December following a change of mindset in training.
He scored his first goal of the season as a starter in a 4-0 FA Cup win at Norwich earlier this month.
Enciso was an unused substitute in last week’s 2-0 win at Ipswich, then came off the bench in stoppage time with January signing and Paraguay team-mate Diego Gomez in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Manchester United.
The Paraguay international’s temporary exit reduces the chances of Evan Ferguson also being loaned out in the January window. West Ham United are among several domestic and European clubs interested in the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland No 9.
Enciso will become Ipswich’s third January signing after the arrivals of defender Ben Godfrey and winger Jaden Philogene.
(Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
