Ipswich Town have had another bid for Blackburn Rovers forward Sammie Szmodics rejected.
According to TWTD, conversations between the two teams are still ongoing, despite the Championship side’s latest rejection.
Following their promotion last year, the Tractor Boys want to construct a team that can compete in the Premier League this season.
Szmodics has been recognized following an outstanding season at Ewood Park, where he scored 27 goals in 44 games (all figures via Fbref).
The 28-year-old was the division’s top scorer, and he helped Rovers avoid relegation to League One.
Ipswich Town’s Sammie Szmodics interest
Blackburn rejected Ipswich’s initial offer of £6 million in July, with Kieran McKenna looking to improve his attacking options.
A second bid of around £8 million, including £2 million in add-ons, has also been turned down. The rejection of this most recent offer has apparently resulted in intense negotiations between Szmodics and Blackburn as he seeks a resolution to his future.
Manager John Eustace has addressed up about the forward’s condition.
He confessed that he does not want to lose someone of Szmodics’ caliber this summer, and that time is running out for a transaction to be done.
“He’s still in talks with Ipswich, I believe, so we’ll have to see what happens,” said Eustace, via The Lancashire Telegraph.
“Listen, Sammie is a top player, I don’t want to lose him as a head coach but we’ll have to see what happens on that. I am sure there is a deadline and I think we’re just waiting on that over the weekend, I think.
“He’s been training, he has been his bubbly self around the place. If he stays then he will be involved for sure.”
Sammie Szmodics’ importance to Blackburn
Szmodics joined Rovers in the summer of 2022, following Peterborough United’s relegation to League One.
The Ireland international has gone on to make 78 Championship appearances for Blackburn in the last two seasons.
He had five goals and two assists in his debut season at Ewood Park, but his 27 efforts in 2023/24 solidified him as a key member of the team.
Szmodics’ exit would be a significant blow to Eustace’s side if it happens, given his phenomenal scoring streak over the last year.
Rovers’ league campaign begins on August 9 with a home encounter against newly promoted Derby County.
Blackburn need Szmodics resolution soon
Blackburn is seeking as high a sum as possible for Szmodics, but their need for cash weakens their position.
Selling Szmodics could allow them to reinvest the money on developing the team as a whole, which may be more vital than keeping the forward.
Losing his goals would be devastating, but there are still other issues on the team that need to be addressed.
In any case, Blackburn needs a resolution quickly so that they can get back to work on the remainder of their summer business, which is now dragging on for several weeks.
