Derby County urged to win 'bidding war' for Ipswich Town star - John Eustace factor 'might help' | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has told the Rams that they must seek out a deal for Sammie Szmodics this month.

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…

Derby County have been backed to secure a deal for Sammie Szmodics, as John Eustace looks to reunite with the 2023/24 Championship Golden Boot winner.

The 30-year-old has spent the last year-and-a-half with Ipswich Town, but injuries and inconsistent form have left the Republic of Ireland international on the fringes of Kieran McKenna's plans in Suffolk.

Therefore, news of the Rams' interest in the versatile forward will be welcomed by the former Blackburn Rovers star, although it has been reported by the East Anglian Daily Times that a bid has been rejected by the Tractor Boys for Szmodics.

Nevertheless, with the transfer window not set to close until Monday, there is still plenty of time for a deal to be agreed between Derby and Ipswich.

Derby County told to secure transfer for Sammie Szmodics after bid rejected

Eustace has been a key person in Szmodics' career, after he allowed the player to leave Blackburn in August 2024 to get his first taste of Premier League football.

While the move has not gone to play so far, this is a superb opportunity for the forward to get plenty of game time, under a manager who knows how to get the best out of him. And, when asked if the Rams should continue their pursuit of the player, Football League World's Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, remains keen.

He said: "If we could get Sammie Szmodics into the building, I think it would make a massive, massive difference to our front line. It would give us a focal point, someone that's genuinely scored a lot of goals at this level.

"If he could recapture some of the form he showed at Blackburn before, then we could have a serious talent on our hands for the second-half of the season. It would also give us a bit of time to not rush Morris back. I know it's a lot to ask one player to come in and to kind of hit the ground running like that, but I think he is capable of doing that."

Shaun continued: "He can go on a run and score in a lot of big games like he did at Blackburn. He's obviously got a relationship with Eustace, which might help. I think we're not going to be spending £9m on a player, but if Ipswich are willing to offload him, I think probably around the £4m would be realistic.

"I don't know. There will probably be loads of clubs in for him because I imagine most Championship teams would want a player like him in their squad. So, we might have a bit of a bidding war going on. But I'll be happy to spend £4m or £5m on him, and he would be a great, great addition to our forward line."

Derby County will face competition for Sammie Szmodics

While Derby do hold the advantage of having a head coach who has an excellent history with Szmodics, the financials of the deal will be of huge concern if they reach anywhere close to the price that Ipswich paid for the player.

He cost the Tractor Boys £9m in August 2024, and while there is no denying that his stock has fallen slightly since then, the Suffolk-based club are excellent at bringing in substantial fees for their players.

With Stoke City and Wrexham also interested, as per a report from Alan Nixon, this could be an extremely tough battle.

Wrexham are a club who have incredible spending power, while the Potters will see this season as an excellent opportunity of finishing in the top six. Derby will face a challenge, but there will be confidence at Pride Park that a deal can be worked.