With the EFL season set to kick off this weekend, the future of Ireland striker Sammie Szmodics seems no closer to being resolved as Blackburn Rovers continue to resist bids to sell the player this summer.
The Championship's top goalscorer in 2023/24, Szmodics was always likely to draw quite a but if interest during the current transfer window. He has been linked with the likes of Bournemouth, Luton Town, Leeds United, and Galatasaray in recent months, although it has been Ipswich Town that have made the biggest push to sign him thus far.
The recently promoted Premier League club have had a couple of bids rejected for the player, with Blackburn rumoured to be seeking a fee of up to £20million to sanction his sale.
That has resulted in a stalemate between the two clubs, with Sammie Szmodics' future still very much up in the air as things stand.
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Blackburn Boss Not Happy With 'Disruptive' Ireland Star Transfer Saga
Blackburn will get their Championship campaign tomorrow night, although they will not have Sammie Szmodics available for the game against Derby County. The 28-year old did not feature in any of the club's pre-season fixtures and is not fit enough to take part in the match.
In any case, the chances of him playing for the club while his future remains unresolved seem rather slim as things stand.
Speaking ahead of that game, Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace admitted that the situation has become 'disruptive' for him and the team as they prepare for the new season.
It's very important that we get this sorted with Sammie, one way or the other.
We want him to stay at the football club, he's a terrific player. He's one of the best players in the Championship and if we can keep him, it'll be fantastic. It's important that we sort his future out as quickly as we can because it's not fair on the lad and it's not fair on the club.
I'm surprised that nothing has been done. It is a bit frustrating but we have to get it sorted one way or the other.
It has been disruptive but it's out of my hands, I can't do much about it...
Sammie is short of match fitness, he hasn't been in any of the pre-season games really...
What I will say is that he's a fantastic professional and when called upon, he'll be 100% committed and ready to go. Sam is a top, top player at this level. Would we like him in the starting XI? Of course, we would. Eventually, that might happen.
It remains to be seen where Sammie Szmodics will be playing his football next season, although recent signs have indicated that he would be keen to move to the Premier League.
From an Ireland perspective, it would be fantastic to see him playing at the highest level.
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