Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace appears resigned to the fact that he may lose Sammie Szmodics amid speculation linking him with Ipswich Town and Leeds United.
“It’s not down to me,” were the words of the Rovers head coach when asked about the potential sale of last season’s Championship Golden Boot winner. Szmodics has openly admitted he wants to play Premier League football; currently on offer by the Tractor Boys.
Ipswich have already had a bid rejected earlier this week. With Blackburn valuing the 28-year-old around £12m, the Lancashire club find themselves in a strong bargaining position with the Colchester-born forward contracted until 2026. With less than two weeks remaining until the start of the season, the Whites have also been encouraged to move promptly if they are to secure a deal.
Forwards Szmodics and Sam Gallagher were left out of Rovers’ friendly with Wigan Athletic yesterday. Discussions are said to be ongoing with Ipswich regarding Szmodics while Gallagher has attracted interest from an unnamed club, believed to be Championship rivals Stoke City.
Eustace is keen to keep his star man and did little to downplay talks linking the Republic of Ireland international with a move away. “Listen, it’s down to the two clubs, it’s not down to me,” the former Watford player told The Lancashire Telegraph.
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