Ipswich Town: Sammie Szmodics transfer demand issued as Derby County plot January raid | OneFootball

FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit has commented on Sammie Szmodics being linked with a loan move to Derby County.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Despite having a slow start to the season, Ipswich Town are beginning to make a charge for an automatic promotion place back to the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys, under the guidance of Kieran McKenna, failed to win any of their opening four league matches on their return to the Championship, but over the festive period, are brewing with confidence, which has led to their sharp rise up the table.

From the beginning of December 2025, the Suffolk-based outfit have won five out of their last eight second-tier outings, including a fantastic 2-0 victory away at table-toppers Coventry City.

These recent run of results have pushed Ipswich up to third in the table, just two points off second-placed Middlesbrough and eight points away from the Sky Blues at the summit.

Ipswich also have a game in hand on the duo above them, so in that time, McKenna’s men could well leapfrog Boro and put themselves in the driving seat to return to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

Normality seems to be being restored, with Ipswich favoured at the beginning of the term to gain immediate promotion, given they possess quality first-team assets with valuable Championship experience.

One of those you would associate with that tag is Sammie Szmodics, who linked up at Portman Road for a reported fee of £9m in their summer spending spree back in the Premier League. The forward arrived off the back of a second-tier Golden Boot campaign with Blackburn Rovers – scoring 27 goals.

But Szmodics’s time at Ipswich has gone far from according to plan. The 30-year-old was reduced to only 20 appearances in the top-flight, scoring four goals, while he has failed to find the net back in the second-tier from 13 league matches.

While much of this season has been hampered by injury, fierce competition within the squad could force Szmodics to settle for a place on the bench, and he may well be seeking an exit in January to earn regular game-time.

Meanwhile, The East Anglian Daily Times have discussed what the future could hold for the Republic of Ireland international at Portman Road, claiming Derby County "would be" interested in pursuing a deal, which would see Szmodics reunite with his former Blackburn Rovers boss, John Eustace.

With this mind, FLW’s Ipswich Town fan pundit has commented over whether he would sanction an exit for Szmodics to Pride Park.

Speaking to Football League World, Ipswich Town fan pundit Adam Wilkin has said the Tractor Boys should be considering a sale of Sammie Szmodics on a permanent basis, while he believes the forward can get his career back on track by reuniting with John Eustace at Derby County.

Adam said: “I think with his injury record and the form of Marcelino Nunez in the number 10 role, Sammie Szmodics, despite having a good season in the Premier League season when he was fit, appears to have fallen down the pecking order for that number 10 position.

“It’s particularly happened because what we’ve needed from the number 10 position has changed this season, and it doesn’t really suit his style anymore.

“He definitely doesn’t fit the new-look Ipswich Town tactics. I think we’ll go for more of a central midfielder, a better on-the-ball style player there.

“He’s obviously worked with John Eustace before at Blackburn, so I think Derby would be a really good location for him, although we should be looking for a permanent move.

“Maybe the loan will have conditions, where if they’re met, a permanent transfer will go through, which seems to be quite common these days.”

A move for Sammie Szmodics to Derby County seems like a deal that would suit all parties, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this progress as the January transfer window goes further down the line.

The Rams do have plenty of experienced options across all departments, so Szmodics could be the latest one to join the group and add an extra punch at the top end of the pitch.

Derby’s forward options could be limited come the end of the window, hence why a move for Szmodics is in the pipeline. The future of Ben Brereton Diaz is up in the air, with reports emerging that Brazilian side, Corinthians, have joined Toronto FC in the race for his signature, while top scorer Carlton Morris, remains sidelined.

The 30-year-old's versatility could prove to be a vital asset for Eustace, and given he oversaw the best goalscoring tally of his career, has every chance of restoring his confidence and getting his career back on track after a tricky period at Portman Road.

For Derby, this could be the signing that completely transforms their season, and if he was to join and show glimpses of what he produced at Ewood Park during the 2023-24 campaign, then you would back the Rams to be in contention for a place inside the play-offs come May.