The Sun reported that Crystal Palace would move for McKenna if they fail to land their primary target Andoni Iraola, who is leaving Bournemouth this summer. Iraola appears to face a straight choice between Palace and Chelsea, with the Spaniard currently focused on ending Bournemouth's campaign in sixth place — a position that could yet yield European football.
McKenna, 39, has delivered three promotions in four seasons at Ipswich. He guided the Tractor Boys back from a single season in the Championship, finishing second with 84 points to secure an immediate return to the Premier League. He is contracted at Portman Road until June 2028 and carries a release clause understood to be in the region of £8million — a figure Ipswich supporters have described as insufficient for a manager of his standing.
After Ipswich's first promotion to the top flight in 2024, Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford all sounded him out. Manchester United made contact as recently as January. McKenna stayed loyal on each occasion, signing successive contract extensions and speaking repeatedly about his commitment to the project in Suffolk.
The situation is different this time. Sources close to McKenna suggest he would be more open to a move if the right club offered him a platform for sustained Premier League football. Palace, who face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on May 27 and could be in European football next season, present a more compelling case than previous approaches.
Fulham represent another potential destination should Marco Silva leave Craven Cottage when his contract expires this summer. Silva is also a target for Chelsea and, according to A Bola, would be Benfica's primary candidate to replace José Mourinho if the Portuguese takes charge at Real Madrid.
McKenna's players are said to fear he will leave. Ipswich's board are preparing contingency plans but have not given up hope of keeping him. His decision is expected before preseason.