The Rams saw a bid for the striker rejected this week as they look to bolster their options in the club’s attack
Ipswich Town’s Sammie Szmodics celebrates after scoring against Blackburn Rovers(Image: Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
John Eustace kept his cards close to his chest over Derby County’s pursuit of Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics after the club saw their first bid rejected for him.
Derby this week lodged an offer for the attacker who played his best football under Eustace during their time at Blackburn together.
Derby would need to push the boat out significantly in order to seal any deal although Ipswich so far are refusing to lower their demands for the 30-year-old.
Town paid £9m for the striker in the summer of 2024 with Wrexham the latest club to join the race for the former Championship golden boot winner.
Eustace rates Szmodics highly after the striker scored 33 goals in all competitions during his time at Ewood Park.
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But the finances may just be out of Derby’s range particularly if Ipswich are seeking to collect a large chunk of what they paid for him.
Asked about Szmodics today, Eustace played a straight bat although did admit a player of his quality would help the team.
“He’s not our player, and I am not going to talk about anybody not with us at the moment,” he said.
“We want to bring players in who are going to improve us. It’s very important that whoever we bring in makes us better.
“Somebody of his quality would certainly help the group.”
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