One of the brightest shining lights for Ireland in recent months has been Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics.
The 29-year-old had a sensational Championship season, racking up 27 goals and four assists for a struggling Rovers team that only finished three points clear of relegation to League One.
Szmodics finished as the division's top scorer, a remarkable feat in a team operating at the bottom end of the table - with many fans incensed that he was not nominated for the Championship's Player of the Season award.
Reports this week suggest that Champions League football could potentially be on the cards for Szmodics next season, with Turkish giants Galatasaray said to be preparing a tempting bid.
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Galatasaray reportedly lining up move for Ireland's Sammie Szmodics
TeamTalk report that Galatasaray are set to test Blackburn Rovers' resolve with a £12 million bid for Irishman Sammie Szmodics.
Blackburn face a battle to keep hold of Szmodics this summer, with reported Premier League interest from Everton, Brentford and Leicester to contend with.
With Galatasaray reportedly prepared to offer cash-strapped Blackburn £12 million, as well as offering Szmodics Champions League football, this deal could work out ideally for all parties.
Gala were recently crowned Turkish Super Lig champions for the second successive year, racking up 102 points to beat bitter rivals Fenerbahce to the title by three points. They will enter next season's Champions League at the play-off phase.
26 March 2024; Sammie Szmodics of Republic of Ireland in action against Eray Cömert of Switzerland during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Szmodics finally made his long-awaited Ireland debut during March's international window, starting both of the home games against Belgium and Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium.
Fans were impressed by the unique assets of his attacking play, and will expect to see him in the squad for next month's friendlies against Hungary and Portugal.
Reports had previously circulated that Szmodics could defect to Hungary, for whom he is also eligible - but the 29-year-old personally shut down those rumours ahead of his Ireland debut.
If Galatasaray were to come in for Sammie Szmodics, it would be hard for Blackburn to hold on to their man. The prospect of Champions League football for a central figure of this new Ireland team can only be a positive to Irish fans.
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