Town talks with Blackburn Rovers regarding forward Sammie Szmodics are continuing, TWTD understands.

TWTD revealed the Blues’ interest in the 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international 10 days ago and discussions remain ongoing, while some national media sources are now reporting the interest.

As per our previous story, a proposed fee of £6 million was initially under discussion and rejected along with other offers with Rovers claimed to want £20 million. However, if an agreement is reached, it would almost certainly be nearer to the lower of those two valuations.

Born in Colchester, Szmodics, a player we understand the Blues have eyed in the last couple of windows, came through the youth ranks with the U’s before breaking into their first team in 2013 prior to a spell on loan in non-league with Braintree.

A move to Bristol City, where Blues CEO Mark Ashton was then in charge, followed in 2019, prior to a switch to Peterborough, initially on loan, before he joined Blackburn in August 2022.

Last season, the forward was top scorer in the Championship with 27 goals, leading to his first international call-ups. He has now won four full caps.

By coincidence, like the Blues, Blackburn had a training camp in Austria last week.

Photo: Nurphoto

MickMccarthyWasRight added 11:45 - Jul 22 COYBIG
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ImAbeliever added 11:48 - Jul 22 GOOD
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MickMillsTash added 11:48 - Jul 22 Impressive every time he has played against us. Not sure if an upgrade on Chaplin but his numbers last year suggest he might be. Would like to add some premier league experience to the squad before the Start of the season - a Chris Smalling/ Craig Dawson type of player, but maybe Tuanzabee is the answer here.
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Chris_ITFC added 11:58 - Jul 22 “TWTD revealed the Blues’ interest… 10 days ago…… national media sources are [only!] now reporting the interest.” Yes Phil! ZINGER!
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Tractorboy58 added 12:09 - Jul 22 Great to get him .. a different option to play up front
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dubblue added 12:15 - Jul 22 was certainly impressive last season, this potential signing follows other recent signings of the cream of the championship. COYB!
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Bazza8564 added 12:16 - Jul 22 Would be great to get this done, with Delap Hirst And AlHamadi as options in the 9, having Sammi as ten option with Chappers, Broady, and Omari (who we assume will also play wide) gives us a bit more in there. Marcus may not see too much game time but thats quite a forward unit between them! We might also see Jack Taylor in that position too if, as expected, we reinforce CMF with a couple

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CharlieWoodsNotebook added 12:51 - Jul 22 MMTash, I agree, he stood out against us last season - a season in which he started many games wide and deep left. His lack of height suggests to me he would not start as our 9 (although obviously an alternative option there) but would play the Broadhead role. A totally different player to Philogene but I suspect his going to Villa has kept this deal possible. I can see his excellent long, cross passing really fitting with our quick-break style, which will be even more important in the Premiership. And what a finisher!

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SickParrot added 12:55 - Jul 22 Yes please.
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planetblue_2011 added 13:07 - Jul 22 Get him in! Great player always liked him even at Col Utd.
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bringmeaKuqi added 13:08 - Jul 22 This would be a brilliant signing. Goals from a deeper position than the number 9 suits our style well. If we are to do well next season we need to find multiple ways to score and Szmodics doubles the goalscoring quality we have from the number 10 position. Part of me would still like to see Sarmiento return. It would be nice to have another direct dribbler on the left, to balance having Omari on the right. Then Burns and Broadhead offer something else entirely. Szmodics and Chaplin can rotate – that's a really mixed and interesting attack. Must say I can't see Harness getting close to the team this year. He looked hard working but limited last season.

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Monkey_Blue added 13:19 - Jul 22 The only concern would be that last season was by a long stretch his best, so you wonder if it’s a flash in the pan. If he were younger you’d trust more in his ceiling being higher. Having said that if McKenna rates him and he’s not liable to mistakes on transfers we have to trust him. I’m hoping we have two or three more “exciting” targets whether loans or of the Philogene level permanent deal.

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RedDust added 13:23 - Jul 22 Whittaker reportedly valued at 6M to Rangers, isn’t he worth looking at?
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Dog added 13:49 - Jul 22 Chris ITFC - this has been reported on for the last two weeks. if you want to know the latest go on www.newsnow.co.uk and then type in Ipswich Town FC. You will see that today we are now interested in Ikhaenaci (maybe spelt wrong) and Charlie Patino
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Warky81 added 13:53 - Jul 22 Don't think hes worth more than £8m max as last season was maybe one off & at 28 may find it harder to assimilate to Prem. Much prefer ITFC to go after Morgan Whittaker who has been a thorn in our side for past 2 seasons and is only 23 I think.
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ArnieM added 14:08 - Jul 22 RedDust: I wouldn’t waste my time with Whittaker now. He basically told Town to shove it when we were after him last season. Well, he can shove it now and swan off the nothing league that the SPL is now. He’s a one trick pony in my book anyway. Relies on speed and running onto the ball beyond the last man.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 14:30 - Jul 22 I think it was the EADT that subsequently played down this link. It was also suggested that it was his agent approached us nor the other way round. Confused.com
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Doc_Albran added 14:55 - Jul 22 Given the injury concern over Broady, it feels like this will be a wide left option, which when you look at the opportunities we created for Broady last season would feel ideal (not as skillful, but a more ruthless finisher). Would be a forward line with teeth: Hirst/Delap/Smodic (S), Smodic/Broady/Harness (WL) Hutchinson/Chaplin/Taylor (10), Burns/Hutchinson/Delap (WR) So many options. Just need a new central midfielder to support Morsy and Luongo and we have a start 11 with a bit of depth, then support/developmental players to grow

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trevski_s added 15:28 - Jul 22 Been saying this since the end of last season but YES to this. With the current squad and recent signings we are starting to get so many options in our attacking positions for when McKenna needs to rotate the squad for resting or against certain opponents. I will admit if we get Sammie in I can potentially see Harness sadly go. Get this done and then maybe another CM (to help Taylor/Morsy/Mass), another GK (cant see Walton wanting another season on the bench especially with Muric now in) and then maybe another LB (as backup for Leif)

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PortmanTerrorist added 15:29 - Jul 22 Would and food question his mentality a few years ago, but those questions appear to be behind him now, and was very much a leader as well as a goal scorer last season. A gamble worth taking category for me.
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FreddySteady added 16:31 - Jul 22 All good stuff so far but I do think we need a couple of younger, quality midfielders. Our central pairing isn’t getting any younger and could well find it hard next season.
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Linkboy13 added 16:43 - Jul 22 It's been reported by the EADT that we are targeting seven left backs surely we don't need that many or has McKenna got a new formation up his sleeve watch out Premier league.
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ArmaghBlue added 17:38 - Jul 22 If we do sign him, let’s hope my view of him being a one season wonder is proved wrong.
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Linkboy13 added 17:48 - Jul 22 We wouldn't be calling him a one season wonder if he was our player small minded people on here im afraid.
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ArmaghBlue added 17:55 - Jul 22 My verdict comes from looking at his career stats.
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