Leeds United fans given final answer on 33-goal attacker as reported £9 million transfer finalised
Leeds United fans calling for the club to move for attacker Sammie Szmodics have received a definitive answer on their hopes of a pursuit for the 28-year-old after the Blackburn Rovers marksman was announced as an Ipswich Town player.
The Irish international who turns 29 next month was not considered a primary target by decision-makers at Elland Road, thought to be too similar in profile to existing attacker Joel Piroe who joined the Whites for £12 million last summer.
Szmodics has signed for a reported £9 million and penned a four-year contract at Portman Road where he could make his Premier League debut this weekend against Liverpool, having played and scored in the National League, League Two, League One and the Championship.
Leeds supporters on social media had urged the club to do a deal for the ex-Rovers man, who found the net 27 times in the Championship last season, in order to spearhead a second run at promotion back to the top flight.
Szmodics netted a further six goals in the FA Cup last term, taking his season tally to 33 and has hit the ground running in 2024/25 with three goals and an assist in his final two outings for Blackburn, versus Derby County and Stockport County.
Leeds are in need of attacking reinforcements, although a different type of player is likely to be sought, closer to the profile of Brighton-bound Georginio Rutter, as well as a replacement for Crysencio Summerville who joined West Ham United earlier this month.
The YEP reported last month: “Talk that emerged on Tuesday of Leeds making their interest [in Szmodics] known are wide of the mark, however, as Ipswich appear determined to get their hand. As things stand, Leeds are looking elsewhere on the attacking midfield front.
Over the course of the summer, club sources have refuted suggestions the Whites had 'formalised interest' in the Republic of Ireland attacker and have been focused on other targets deemed more suited.