Peterborough United have confirmed undisclosed fees have been agreed with Colchester United for Sammie Szmodics and Frankie Kent as reported by the Peterborough Telegraph.
The deal for Kent is more advanced with the defender having discussed personal terms with the club and asked for time to consider the move. No meeting has taken place with Szmodics who has been a long time target of Bristol City with reports last month claiming the attacking-midfielder was set to sign for the Robins.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson made it clear the move for Kent was in no way connected to the recent high profile spat with Oldham Athletic over the failure of George Edmundson to sign at London Road telling the Telegraph: ‘I’ve had a very positive meeting with Frankie who has asked for time to consider our offer. Hopefully, he will reply in a positive way before the weekend.’
‘We bid for Frankie six weeks ago, so it was nothing to do with what went on with Oldham. He’s an excellent defender, and he fits the bill for us as we want a younger player to play alongside Mark Beevers at the heart of our defence. He’s comfortable on the ball but also defends well.’
Ferguson then remarked that if Kent decided his future lay elsewhere, the club would quickly move onto other central defensive targets.
On Szmodics, the Peterborough said: ‘I’ve kept an eye on Szmodics for a couple of seasons. He’s a really good player who would suit the way we want to play. I’m aware other clubs might want him, but we have the advantage of having had a bid accepted. I have yet to speak to the player, though.’
Both players have emerged from Colchester United’s academy to become established and sought after League Two players with Kent the club’s current Player of the Season and Szmodics netting fifteen goals in forty-eight outings in 2018/19.
Our View
Having seen both players a couple of times at close quarters, I can assure Posh fans they are in for a real treat if Posh pull this double swoop off.
Szmodics can boss a midfield or play just behind the striker while Kent is a young centre-back who always seems to have time and never looks rushed.
Peterborough are setting their stall out for a real shot at League One promotion, and it could be an exciting and successful season at London Road in 2019/20.
