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

TimmyH added 20:12 - Jul 29 Feels like it's going the same way as the Philogene saga...move on, August 17th is getting closer.
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rexron added 20:50 - Jul 29 1 season wonder! Move on, theres better players out there.
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Monkey_Blue added 21:02 - Jul 29 This is a bit of a nothing burger. Of course he’s still training, it’s pre-season.. it would be news worthy if he was sat at home playing PS5 or drinking cocktails in Barbados.
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Sefton_Blue added 21:46 - Jul 29 John Eustace will only let him leave when a replacement has been signed, same goes for Gallagher who is also leaving Ewood Park this summer
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gosblue added 22:55 - Jul 29 PackwoodBlue The agent gets his cut even if Szmodics signs a new deal at Blackburn. Agents rule the world.
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Monkey_Blue added 22:59 - Jul 29 Sefton_Blue… I think it’s pretty clear that Eustace has zero say in whether he goes or not. The owners will decide on financial merits and not on the merits of building a team for BR. Those that disparage Marcus should thank our lucky stars we aren’t owned by the Venky’s.
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Gforce added 23:24 - Jul 29 Looks like Blackburn are about to sign 2 new strikers tomorrow, so hopefully we will see some movement on this deal tue/wed.
3

Steelmonkey added 01:09 - Jul 30 Possibly Blackburn waiting to get a replacement in place before letting him go, that makes sense.
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Blue_In_Boston added 07:11 - Jul 30 Why does any comment showing frustration immediately receive down votes? Maybe younger posters don't remember the Burley and Sheepshanks era where for a time they could do no wrong, its good to have mixed opinions not blindly assuming success is sure to continue.
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MickMillsTash added 08:37 - Jul 30 Blue in Boston- I doubt that there are many young people on this forum. Like you, possibly Like McKenna, I have some concerns over transfer progress after a very good start, McKenna got 7/10 players at Championship level playing at 8/10 last season. The step up is massive and we need to hit the ground running and accumulate points from the winnable early games up to the November international break

2

dirtydingusmagee added 09:33 - Jul 30 we will be scrambling around at the end of the window, and loans will prob be the result, not blaming Ashton or the club ,it just seems to be heading that way, dont suppose its much different for other clubs. Everyone trying to screw the last penny out of deals . It is going to be a togh season , we need players now, The January window is rarely good ,with few players available.

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Marinersnose added 11:33 - Jul 30 Welcome to the PL where transfer deals are so difficult to get over the line. It’s the same for every club and the problem is exacerbated by greedy agents. It’s tiresome for fans but this league is tough for negotiations. I’m sure McKenna will get a good blend of recruits
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blueboy1981 added 16:55 - Jul 30 We’ll be caught out come the Liverpool - you cannot afford a duff start to the Prem’ Season - or you’ll continue to struggle !! Different Game now - as some Jokers will soon find out !! We need to be Totally Prepared - and OFF THE BLOCKS - it’s not quite looking that way just yet, and Time is Ticking away Folks !
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blueboy1981 added 17:05 - Jul 30 ……. there’s a certain Naivety amongst Town Supporters - this is the BIG STEP UP - somewhat different from League 1 to the Championship !! Everything, but Everything, has to be in place to Rock - or Punishment will come - Quickly and Ruthlessly !!
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Smithy63 added 17:15 - Jul 31 Move on and get a player that's as good as him for less so let him carry on playing in the championship as its obvious he doesn't want to come to us
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