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Leeds United transfer news: Yorkshire giants 'rivalling' Ipswich for star forward?

Leeds to rival Ipswich in race for Championship star?
© Reuters
Leeds United are reportedly prepared to rival a Premier League newcomer in the race to sign one of last season's Championship star performers.

Leeds United are reportedly attempting to edge out Ipswich Town in the race to sign Blackburn Rovers forward Sammie Szmodics.

While the playmaker has made a career out of being a relatively consistent performer in the EFL, he took his career to new heights in 2023-24.

In a struggling Blackburn side, the 28-year-old contributed an outstanding 27 goals and four assists from 44 appearances.

That was enough for the Republic of Ireland international to top the goalscoring charts in the second tier, as well as keep himself in the shop window.

Although Szmodics has two years remaining on his contract, there is an acceptance at Blackburn that they may cash in on their most prized asset for the right price.

Blackburn Rovers' Sammie Szmodics celebrates scoring their first goal on February 27, 2024© Reuters

Ipswich facing fierce competition

Over the past 48 hours, it has been claimed that Premier League newcomers Ipswich are in advanced talks to sign Szmodics.

However, the Tractor Boys are said to be considerably below Blackburn's valuation, the suggestion being that they have made a £6m offer.

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Leeds have now decided to enter the race for the in-demand attacker.

Crook says that Leeds have "formalised" their interest in Szmodics, the assumption being that an official offer has been made or will follow.

The Yorkshire giants are known to need to make further player sales during the summer transfer window, yet they have already generated a sizeable fee for Archie Gray.

At least one of Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto are expected to follow in due course, freeing up extra funds to acquire a suitable replacement.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna on April 30, 2024© Reuters

How may the situation pan out?

Much will depend if Blackburn's asking price, said to be in the region of £20m is met, with a compromise likely required to facilitate an exit for Szmodics.

Blackburn do not necessarily have to do that having already sold Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace in January, yet they know that raising the biggest fee possible from a sale of a 28-year-old could stand them in good stead to rebuild the squad.

As it stands, Szmodics's preference is unclear, but this is a player who is yet to accumulate a single minute of Premier League football in his career.

Even though he could plausibly earn promotion with Leeds, turning down a top-flight side at this stage of his playing days would feel like a bold move.

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Written by
Darren Plant

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1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
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19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
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23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
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