Ipswich Town forward Sammie Szmodics looks set to be one of the most in-demand players in the EFL as the transfer window enters its final few days.
A Championship Golden Boot winner in 2023–24 with Blackburn Rovers, Szmodics scored 27 goals for the struggling side that narrowly avoided relegation from the second tier. However, the 30-year-old has not been able to replicate that form since moving to Ipswich Town for £9million in August 2024.
During an injury-hit Premier League debut, the Republic of Ireland international netted four goals in 20 appearances, but fitness issues have continued into the current season.
He has started just one Championship game since mid-October, which came in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United, and was substituted after 57 minutes. That outing could prove to be his final appearance for the Tractor Boys, at least temporarily.
Interest in Szmodics has intensified in recent days. Derby County have already had a bid rejected, with manager John Eustace hoping to reunite with his former Blackburn man. However, Wrexham and Stoke City are also said to be keen, according to Alan Nixon and Football Insider.
Wrexham, chasing a third consecutive promotion, are currently sixth in the Championship, while Derby sit just two points outside the play-offs. Both Wrexham and Stoke City are targeting top-six finishes, with Stoke struggling for attacking options due to injuries to Sam Gallagher, Divin Mubama, and Robert Bozenik, despite the arrival of Milan Smit.
The Red Dragons’ ambition has been clear in recent weeks, with reports of a club-record £19million bid for Angers striker Sidiki Cherif and links to Southampton talisman Adam Armstrong. Adding Szmodics to a squad that already includes Kieffer Moore, Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead, and Sam Smith would underline Wrexham’s growing intent.
Ipswich are reportedly open to selling the forward, who endured an injury-hit 2025, but they are unwilling to take a substantial loss on the £9million fee paid to Blackburn just 18 months ago. Szmodics is contracted until 2028 and has scored once in eight starts and 10 substitute appearances this season.
When the squad is fully fit, he faces competition from Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke on the left wing, and Marcelino Nunez and new signing Anis Mehmeti for the No.10 role. Links to other attacking recruits in Suffolk could further reduce his opportunities.
The Rams have had a mixed record with former Ipswich players. Kayden Jackson joined permanently in 2024 but has scored just four goals in all competitions and has not registered a strike or assist since December 2024, despite playing every league game last season and 19 times this term.
Marcus Harness, who arrived on loan later in the same window, slowly won over fans but managed only four goals and three assists from 41 Championship appearances.
Szmodics’ reunion with John Eustace could be decisive. Eustace helped Szmodics thrive at Blackburn, extracting 27 goals in the 2023/24 season and helping Rovers avoid relegation to League One. This productive relationship could continue at Derby if a move is agreed.
At 30 years old, this could be Szmodics’ final chance to impress and play a pivotal role in a promotion push to the Premier League, with the Rams targeting a top-six finish. If history repeats itself, Pride Park may simply hope that the Tractor Boys’ number 23 is the last player to move from Suffolk for a while.
Negotiations are expected to run right up until deadline day, and it remains unclear whether Szmodics will feature in Ipswich Town’s home clash with Preston North End on Saturday.
With Derby, Wrexham, and Stoke all vying for his signature, and his Championship pedigree and Irish international experience, Szmodics is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile transfer stories of the window.
