Blackburn boss John Eustace says his club is waiting for the right offer for Blues target Sammie Szmodics.

The 28-year-old netted twice earlier this evening as the Lancastrians won 6-1 away at Stockport in the Carabao Cup.

Town have been in on and off discussions with Rovers regarding Szmodics for more than a month.

Last month, TWTD revealed that the Blues initially offered £6 million and have had a number of other bids rebuffed, the most recent £8 million rising to £10 million. Some reports have suggested Town are around £500,000 away from Blackburn’s valuation.

“I don't know, it's not down to me,” Eustace told the Lancashire Telegraph when asked whether the Republic of Ireland will remain at Ewood Park following this evening’s match.

“Of course I want him to stay. He's been fantastic since I've been at the football club, the lads love him to bits.

“It's important he got 60 minutes, he hasn't played many pre-season games. That's half an hour Friday and 60 today, it's important we keep building his fitness up.

“He's very confident and playing with a great group of players, he's took his two chances today. He was very clinical and we've spoken about that.

“He's handling it exceptionally well. He wasn't with the group much over pre-season, this is his second game. He's a true professional, he's got on with his work and now it's down to us to get him as fit as we can for when the window shuts.

“It's down to the club, they're waiting for the right offer. They have a valuation and we'll have to see what happens and if it gets matched.

“It's out of my hands, I'm focused on the group, a fantastic group. We're giving him the right balance of keeping him fit and making sure the squad feel wanted and hungry. Of course, want to keep him, everyone would.”

Photo: Craig Thomas/News Images

poet added 09:46 - Aug 14 I understand the frustrations being vented on here, and I agree that Town should move on. Blackburn Rovers are way off the mark with Szmodics’ valuation. He’s proven to be a very competent striker in the Championship, but could he replicate that form in the PL? He’s 28, so if he looks after himself, he could play in the Championship for another 4-5 years. But in the PL, things are different, perhaps 2 years if he’s lucky. Blackburn Rovers are very unlikely to get promoted, this is his chance to play on the big stage. That clearly doesn’t bother the powers to be at his club, they clearly have no respect for his wishes. The important consideration here though is ITFC. Is it a viable proposition to begin our PL season with only one striker? No is the only answer to that question, so the powers to be at ITFC need to think of an alternative to Szmodics, and very quickly.

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JonDouglas4Ballondor added 09:46 - Aug 14 To be honest with you, this has been dragging on way too long. Yes he is a good championship player but in my opinion getting a good defensive midfielder such as Hamer should be way more of a priority pre Saturday... Al-Hamadi will be a fine sub striker option for Liverpool.
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planetblue_2011 added 10:03 - Aug 14 Hurry up & pay it then! Would have been great to see him play against Liverpool but obviously won’t be happening now. He’s gonna help our forward line, he’s in the form of his life at the moment. Three goals already!! Come on town cough up.
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TimmyH added 10:34 - Aug 14 Naff off Blackburn!
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 11:10 - Aug 14 The only thing dragging on is the reporting. Given nothing is moving on the negotiations I think it's safe to assume our top offer was under what BR wanted so the club has moved on in it's search. Unlike Camsrover who cannot move away from its stained and sticky keyboard. It is a sad and bored Blackburn troll who needs the attention. Please don't even mark it down. Eventually it will move on to another site.

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thevoiceofreason added 11:12 - Aug 14 If you believe the noise around this one, then the club have made a right horses arse of this one. Town should have a figure that they are prepared to pay and if that point has been reached and no deal is forthcoming they should walk away. Perhaps, as someone has suggested, they already have and the noise is all about them trying to sell him for an inflated fee.

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Carberry added 11:39 - Aug 14 I hope this doesn't reflect the fact that we don't have other options because we should have moved on some time ago and found an alternative. As I've said before it's not like we are hanging on to get an established Premier League striker, he is unproven at this level. And by the way, £20m for Delap seems like a lot of dough for someone who has scored just 16 goals in his professional career, none in the Prem. Sounds like a gamble.

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SickParrot added 11:53 - Aug 14 I wanted us to sign Szmodics because I believe he will score goals in the premier league but the price has to be right. It was reported that we increasèd our original offer to a figure that Blackburn had indicated would be acceptable only to be told that they now wanted more. If so, Mark Ashton has probably refused to be held to ransom and said take it or leave it.
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runningout added 11:55 - Aug 14 Guess Szmodics will end up elsewhere. Know he’s had a good start but I’d forget this one as Blackburn taking the Michael
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Steelmonkey added 12:01 - Aug 14 So now he's cup tied for the Carabao cup competition if we do get him.
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Bert added 12:28 - Aug 14 Excellent that our club keeps its own counsel unlike Blackburn.
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Cambsrover14 added 12:33 - Aug 14 Lol reel them in you have a catch pmsl
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Cambsrover14 added 12:34 - Aug 14 Lol reel them in we have a catch haha
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ImAbeliever added 13:06 - Aug 14 I believe, we’ve already moved on.
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JewellintheTown added 13:41 - Aug 14 @Steelmonkey - we wouldn't play him anyway. Regards others comments about Szmodics & transfers, we have a very level headed, sensible, methodical, experienced & well organised team running the club now and the last few seasons have more than shown this team and their approach has worked perfectly. Trust them & don't get bogged down with gossip & rumours until the club say something concrete.

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Lukeybluey added 14:14 - Aug 14 Just seen we're about to sign Cajuste from Napoli?
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gixxeral added 14:15 - Aug 14 All the noise is coming from Rovers. Nothing from this end. I reckon that MA accepted their valuation and then they increased it on signing day 'Venky' style. MA just dropped his pen and walked off and good for him. Plenty more fish in the sea!
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