TWTD understands that Town are closing in on the signing of Sammie Szmodics from Blackburn Rovers with the deal set to be finally completed within the next 24 hours.

A month ago, TWTD revealed that Town were in discussions with the Lancastrians regarding the addition of Szmodics, Rovers having turned down an initial offer of £6 million.

Since then, a number of other bids have been turned down but we understand the Blues upped their offer, believed to be £9 million plus add-ons, earlier this week with an agreement finally reached.

If the deal is confirmed, Szmodics is set to undergo a medical tomorrow, it will mark the end of this summer’s lengthiest transfer saga.

Born in Colchester, Szmodics, a player we understand the Blues have eyed in the last couple of transfer 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 understood to be due a sell-on from the move.

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.

Despite training way from the first-team squad and missing pre-season friendlies while his move was under discussion, Szmodics has made an impressive start to the season, coming off the bench to score in the 4-2 opening-day win against Derby and then scoring twice in the 6-1 Carabao Cup tie victory at Stockport and playing just over the first hour.

Meanwhile, Town's loan signing of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips also looks set to be confirmed tomorrow.

The England international was pictured at Playford Road earlier this evening as he completes the formalities regarding the switch.

Photo: Craig Thomas/News Images

Lightningboy added 22:30 - Aug 15 Probably too late to feature against Liverpool on Saturday? - Blackburn have certainly dragged this one out - cheers for that - stupid club.
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algarvefan added 22:30 - Aug 15 I hope it's finally true, but I'm putting the champagne on ice until it's signed sealed and delivered.
0

blues1 added 22:33 - Aug 15 Tendring tractorboy. He doesn't dislike Ipswich. Just a rumourxspread by our fans. Mate of mine spoke to him in a club in manachesyer after our match v Blackburn last season, and asked him about that. He said it was rubbish. Why would he dislike us anyway, when his parents are season ticket holders at ipswich.
1

Karlosfandangal added 22:54 - Aug 15 As some have said it’s a huge fee for a player Town won’t be able to make a profit on. However if his goals keep Town up…..his worth is £200 million
6

ipswichone added 23:59 - Aug 15 Brilliant news,that will be very good for Ipswich town,and has made my day
3

Blue_In_Boston added 07:26 - Aug 16 If we had got relegated without signing SS there would always have been a what if? I believe that with him and Phillips we have given ourselves every chance of survival and building longevity in the too tier - our rightful place.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 08:00 - Aug 16 Really hope its finally done , and he gets his chance to prove he is up to the job in Prem, he will certainly be motivated,with a point to prove . Imo he will prove the doubters wrong.
1

Marinersnose added 08:05 - Aug 16 This guy is a natural goal scorer and those fans old enough to remember the signing of Marcus Stewart will appreciate how important it is to have a finisher on board. Stewart could be anonymous but would pop up and score vital goals and town finished 5th in the PL. Chances are few and far between in the PL so when a chance is created you need to score. Brilliant business by Ashton and McKenna.

4

Bazza8564 added 08:57 - Aug 16 Let's get this over the line and forget any notion of dealing with BRFC again, two deals handled like this now, and none seemingly as difficult with anybody else in Football.
2

Bluemike31 added 09:19 - Aug 16 Been a long time coming but this is a very big missing piece of the jigsaw sorted.
1

BlueCosmic added 09:22 - Aug 16 Watching the two Blackburn games that he has played I was impressed by his football intelligence, moving back to accept the ball from the wing to score, the clever pass across the box for Ohashi to score against Derby then a smart finish in the left corner against the Stockport keeper moving the other way. All point to smart thinking on and off the ball.
2

blues1 added 09:45 - Aug 16 Karlosfandangel.£9m isn't a huge fee at all. Probably the equivalent of around £2-3k back in the 80s. And you don't sign goalscorers for peanuts. At 28 years old, he's in the prime of his career. So I'd say it's pretty good value.
2

ploughman added 09:47 - Aug 16 Szmodics will be the Marcus Stewart of this season. An intelligent and cultured striker to feed on the passing of Omari, Taylor, Morsy and, of course, Phillips! Can't wait!
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ImAbeliever added 10:03 - Aug 16 One of my all time favourite goals scored by Marcus Stewart from inside the 6yd box at Anfield. We won.
0

NorwichBlue138 added 10:52 - Aug 16 My main worry is for Cambsrover - which fan forum is he going to check ten times a day once this deal is done?
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