Derby County told how Bobby Clark will impact 'excellent' Sammie Szmodics, Ipswich Town transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has weighed in on whether the Rams should make a move for Sammie Szmodics in the summer.

Sammie Szmodics has had an up-and-down start to life at Derby County following his loan move from Ipswich Town in the January transfer window, but recent signs are positive after he scored a vital goal against Portsmouth in mid-week.

The former Blackburn Rovers man found himself in the right place at the right time to fire in from close range after a Rams corner, handing his side all three points at Fratton Park, as John Eustace's team look for a top six finish in the Championship.

Szmodics is still getting settled in at Pride Park after moving to the club on deadline day, and there are still signs that he is lacking a little match sharpness, but the opening signs are relatively positive - even if his goalscoring record so far has not been standout.

Nevertheless, there will be questions asked as to whether a permanent move can be arranged between Ipswich and Derby, with it seemingly unlikely that the 30-year-old will stay at Portman Road once this season comes to an end.

Verdict made on how much Sammie Szmodics may cost Derby County if a permanent deal is sought

The Rams had a £3m bid turned down for Szmodics in January, and instead had to opt for a loan move with time running out in the transfer window. However, they were still able to get their man, with the player himself keen to be reunited with Eustace.

Now, Football League World has asked their Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, how much he thinks it would cost for his side to sign the versatile attacker permanently in the summer. He said: "I think Ipswich were looking for £6m in the January transfer window for him and I think it was sensible that we took a look at him first to see where he's at. The problem we've got is we have Szmodics and Bobby Clark both pretty much wanting to play in the same position.

"I think the balance of the team hasn't been right since Szmodics came to the cluband I'm not saying it's his fault because Eustace is trying to get him in the side, but also trying to play Bobby Clark. It just hasn't worked with the two of them in the same XI.

"I think if we can get Bobby Clark in the summer, then I wouldn't be looking to buy Szmodics because Clark's a lot younger, got a lot more sell-on value. However, if Clark does move on to bigger and better things, then I think Szmodics would be an excellent signing."

Shaun continued: "If he plays in the right formation with the right players around him, he could be a real asset to Derby. You don’t score nearly 30 goals in a season for a struggling side at Blackburn if you're not a good player. He clearly has got an eye for goal. He's just hardly played this season, so he hasn't looked match sharp when he's played for Derby.

"He looks like he's getting better. He scored a good goal the other night, and there's a really good player in there. But I say if we don't get Clark, I think Szmodics would be a very, very good signing at this level. I'd be probably looking to pay £2m-£3m for him.

"I think there will be a lot of teams out there that would happily pay that as well. He's 30 years old, so we're not going to get much sell on for him, but if we can get two or three good years out of him, I think he's a very, very talented Championship level player."

Sammie Szmodics has hinted at leaving Ipswich Town this summer

Szmodics' move to Ipswich has not gone to plan, and a move away in the January transfer window came at the perfect time for him, as he looks to find form in the final weeks of the season.

Moving to Derby was something that he did not think twice about, and he said following the win over Portsmouth (via: BBC Radio Derby): "I just focus on playing football. As soon as I knew there was interest from Derby and John Eustace, it was something I couldn't turn down and I didn't want to turn down. I did everything in my power to come.

"Things are said in football, there are opinions in football, there are different sides in football that you don't get to hear. Right now, I'm just focusing on football and getting match fit and enjoying it and scoring goals and hopefully leading Derby back into the play-offs. Hopefully it's something that I can continue to do."

The Rams have huge ambition, and Szmodics was a statement signing in the winter window. They will be extremely keen on bringing the Republic of Ireland international in permanently in the summer, and it would not be a surprise to see the player push for the move as well.