Blackburn Rovers say they are still waiting on the right offer for Ireland man Sammie Szmodics before he is allowed to leave the club.
Rovers fans feared that Szmodics, top scorer in the Championship, would not be at Ewood Park this season as Leicester City were keen to add him to their ranks ahead of the Premier League season, and Szmodics played no role in the club’s pre-season games.
He came off the bench in the first league game of the season last weekend and scored in Tuesday’ s 6-1 League Cup win over Stockport, but his future is still in doubt as Blackburn chiefs wait for clubs to match their valuation of the player. Ipswich reportedly bid £6m but that fell well short of the figure that Blackburn had in mind for the 28-year-old.
“I don’t know, it’s not down to me. Of course I want him to stay. He’s been fantastic since I’ve been at the football club, the lads love him to bits,” manager John Eustace told the Lancashire Telegraph when asked of the Ireland international was staying.
“It’s down to the club, they’re waiting for the right offer. They have a valuation and we’ll have to see what happens and if it gets matched. He’s handling it exceptionally well. He wasn’t with the group much over pre-season, this is his second game. He’s a true professional, he’s got on with his work and now it’s down to us to get him as fit as we can for when the window shuts.
“It’s beyond my control; my focus is on the team, a fantastic group. We’re ensuring he stays fit while also making sure the squad feels valued and motivated. Of course, we’d like to keep him—everyone would.”
“It’s crucial he got 60 minutes; he hasn’t had much time in pre-season. That’s 30 minutes on Friday and 60 today, so it’s important we keep building his fitness. He’s very confident and playing with a strong group of players, and he took his two chances today. He was very clinical, and we’ve discussed that,” Eustace added.
Meanwhile, Blackpool is in discussions with Danny Mandroiu, formerly of Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers. The midfielder, a free agent after leaving Lincoln City this summer, was linked with a return to the League of Ireland, but Mandroiu prefers to remain in the UK. Blackpool manager Neil Critchley confirmed that Mandroiu is on their radar.
“We’re in talks with several players. We’re speaking with Danny because he’s a free agent, but we’re also negotiating with others. There are still a few weeks to go, and we’re working hard behind the scenes every day,” Critchley said. Blackpool also has Mandroiu’s former teammate Andy Lyons, who is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained in February.