Sammie Szmodics is enjoying a scintillating campaign for Blackburn Rovers this season, and has been a revelation for the Lancashire side since his move from Peterborough United in August 2022. Deservedly, Premier League interest has ramped up for the 28-year-old.
According to The Sun, Brentford, relegation-threatened Luton Town, and Sheffield United – who are returning to the second division next season – are all reported admirers of the Irishman this summer. In a season where Rovers have severely underperformed and could still mathematically find themselves in League One next year, Szmodics has accumulated 31 goals in all competitions and is the current top scorer in the Championship.
To set such a high standard in a team battling relegation is unheard of in such a competitive league, but it seems like a Szmodics goal has been inevitable in every game recently. Delightfully for John Eustace’s team, they are in no rush to sell as they penned a new contract with the playmaker in November, keeping him at Ewood Park until 2026, with an option for an additional year. However, after such a clinical campaign, the Lancashire side are reportedly looking for bids in excess of £15 million.
Brentford look likely to be able to cough up that price tag with the confirmation that talisman Ivan Toney will be searching for a move away from the Bees. Toney will obviously require an extortionate fee for his services, so the London-based club could easily put that towards a deal with Szmodics, should they show concrete interest in the summer.
Considering the 28-year-old is leading the line for a relegation-threatened outfit, there is one outrageous stat that is bound to keep Premier League clubs intrigued. Szmodics ranks in the 100th percentile for non-penalty xG, meaning he has the single best numbers in the Championship, with 20.17. The Republic of Ireland international has also landed himself in the 98th percentile for total shots and shots on target, which is an absurd amount in a side sat just three points above the drop.
Writer’s View
Szmodics has completely carried the Lancashire side on his back this season, leading the line exceptionally and impressively overperforming his xG. Blackburn will be extremely content to demand such a high figure for their prized asset, but will feel a tremendous sense of dread knowing that some of the teams interested could be joining them in the second division next season.
At 28, this is the perfect opportunity for Szmodics to make the step up to the Premier League and it is clear that his current club are far from making that leap themselves. With a clear gap opening up in the Brentford front three, alongside Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, the Irishman could easily settle in at the Gtech next season.