Blues target Sammie Szmodics continues to train with Blackburn Rovers, despite the forward having been left out of the Ewood Park club’s side for their 1-1 friendly draw at Wigan at the weekend.

Town and Rovers are understood to be inching towards an agreement after protracted negotiations going back more than a fortnight.

Szmodics’s omission from the squad facing the Latics on Saturday signalled speculation that a conclusion was imminent, but it appears the deal is still to be done with Sky Sports reporting that the 28-year-old is still training with the Championship side.

Following Saturday’s game, Rovers boss John Eustace outlined the position to the Lancashire Telegraph.

“There has been interest from clubs and they're talking again,” he said. “It's the same sort of situation. I don't know if he'll stay or go, I am just coaching the team.

“It's nothing to do with me. I want him to stay. The two clubs are talking, there was no point risking him. He's a very fit lad and a good player so we'll see how that develops.”

An offer of an initial £8 million plus a further £2 million is currently on the table with various bids having been rebuffed by the Lancastrians since the £6 million TWTD revealed earlier in the month.

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. Posh are believed to have included a sell-on clause in that deal.

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

Photo: Nurphoto

Bluemike31 added 16:54 - Jul 29 Getting pretty boring tbh.
4

Cambsrover14 added 16:57 - Jul 29 Yawn pay up or move on it's boring.
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ArnieM added 16:59 - Jul 29 Like I’ve said elsewhere, all our transfer targets seem “ epic”!
2

BaddowBlue1 added 16:59 - Jul 29 Blackburn in my opinion are not a good club to do business, we tried to get Gallagher for ages back in January transfer window, looks like they are doing the same with this deal unfortunately. But he didnt play on at the weekend so something must be happening.
6

PackwoodBlue added 17:01 - Jul 29 Note to his agent: What is 0% of £0...? Note to him: Do you want to play in The Premier League or Championship?
15

PackwoodBlue added 17:03 - Jul 29 ..Of course, it may be Blackburn holding this up. Who knows. Personally I would love to see him at PR. Was very impressed with him last season.
10

bluebullet29l added 17:10 - Jul 29 It's getting boring now....think I will go and sit in the garden and watch the grass grow....
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cressi added 17:13 - Jul 29 Philogene 2 do it or move on. Stop wasting valuable time ⏲️
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Denny32 added 17:16 - Jul 29 His agent has been seen in real Madrids car park lol.
1

BobbyBell added 17:18 - Jul 29 Maybe some on here should be ringing Mark Ashton and offering their services. They clearly think they can do better deals and quicker.
20

iaintaylorx added 17:18 - Jul 29 BREAKING: Man goes to work. So he should be training with them anyway. Nothing as been agreed, and I’d rather him train than throw his toys out the pram because we shouldn’t be signing those kind of players. Think we will get him, but personally would rather the money go towards Jack Clarke, a marquee sighing or someone with good PL experience!
9

billlm added 17:28 - Jul 29 Cressi, agree
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blues1 added 17:34 - Jul 29 Of course hes still training with them. Hardly news, is it?
3

Linkboy13 added 17:53 - Jul 29 I'd be worried if he wasn't training after all he's still a Blackburn player. Off course he could force a move by going on strike but that would be unprofessional and send out the wrong message to McKenna. Clubs know that we have owners that are prepared to spend big so they are holding out for as much as they can get.
2

Carberry added 17:53 - Jul 29 I'm also fed up with these cut and paste stories. How many times do we want to read how he was born in Colchester, we looked at him in other windows and went to Bristol City when Ashton was there, blah, blah. Doesn't take us any further forward. Clickbait.
6

herfie added 18:02 - Jul 29 From BB’s perspective he’s probably their most prized asset, so will understandably place a big price on his head. But MA clearly, and rightly, won’t be held to ransom; no doubt the player would be a good addition to the squad, but he’s slightly older than KM’s ideal profile, and has no PL experience. So there will be a price beyond which we will not go. If so, call it quits and move on. There are more potential targets out there - at home and abroad. (A couple of the FD lads looked quite tasty!)

3

Cafe_Newman added 18:06 - Jul 29 Where was he born and does he have any past connection with Mark Ashton?
2

runaround added 18:09 - Jul 29 This saga is getting towards Philogene proportions but with no other teams seemingly involved. I actually feel sorry for the player who is in limbo and probably desperate to get here and integrate into the squad here. If he eventually does sign here it will feel like he’s due a testimonial he’s been linked with us for so long! Difficult balancing act I’m sure for the club to not overpay but also not to miss out on a good player due to not offering enough but KMcK’s comments on Saturday suggest he is eager to add players ASAP and is possibly getting frustrated

2

churchmans added 18:10 - Jul 29 No way is he worth 10mill 6mill yes bit the 28yr old hardly fits the profile of a mckenna young&hungry player that becomes much better However he would he a direct challenge to chaplains position which is good for the club as whole regarding competition
1

Wickets added 18:19 - Jul 29 Anyone moaning regarding our transfer policy should just remember how well we have done on that front over the last few windows, under FFP money is not a bottomless pit it's imperative we get value for money and the club must do that at all costs.
7

cressi added 18:49 - Jul 29 Churchmans Stop worrying about him been 28 Jesus not everyone has to be under 25 we need a mix 5 yrs younger than our best player last 2 yrs.
5

jas0999 added 19:14 - Jul 29 We need signings - urgently. This one has been going on too long. Let’s hope three or four more are well advanced.
1

SickParrot added 19:17 - Jul 29 Although it's frustrating that this is dragging on I don't agree with those who say we should give up and move on. If, as reported, we are close to a fee that is acceptable to both clubs we should continue to negotiate. I hope we can get this sorted. He can play as a 10, an 8 and as a false 9, works his socks off and scores goals.
4

PortmanTerrorist added 19:49 - Jul 29 Local lad and hope this works out but given how much he will cost and that I think he fits rather than elevates us, surely we could look to hijack Fulham for Arsenal's Smith Rowe....can't believe he is under £30k and he really would slot into the Broadhead role and be an immediate upgrade with Premier League experience to boot!
0

DocMartyn added 19:55 - Jul 29 @PackwoodBlue I think you mean "What is 15% of £0?", as your original phrasing makes no sense...
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