Leeds United enter race for Sammie Szmodics transfer from Blackburn Rovers vs Ipswich Town

Leeds United have now "formalised" their interest in Blackburn or Sammie Szmodics, according to Alex Crook.

The talkSPORT journalist reported via X on 23 July that the Whites have now come forward for the attacker who is also wanted by Ipswich Town.

Kieran McKenna's side have have had multiple bids for the Republic of Ireland international [BBC Sport, 22 July] and now Leeds have entered the race.

Szmodics was the Championship's top scorer last term with 27 goals and has two years left on his current contract with an option of a further year [Blackburn Rovers].

Daniel Farke wants Championship top scorer at Leeds United

Leeds United weren't exactly short of goals for most of the previous campaign but the main threat came from out wide unless Patrick Bamford was in the side.

Either the English striker or last summer's big-name goalscorer signing Joel Piroe are set to be sold this summer, according to the Daily Mail (1 July).

The former has had long-standing issues with injuries and Daniel Farke could never really decide how to use the latter properly and Szmodics would be a major upgrade for the attacking midfield role the Dutchman often found himself in.

Winger Crysencio Summerville is now a top target to leave as well with widespread Premier League interest and Rennes trying to add him to Glen Kamara [L'Equipe, 16 July], while Willy Gnonto is being pursued again by Everton [Sky Sports, 15 July].

So Farke looks like he is going to need to replace the goal threat in a big way this summer with time running out before the new campaign starts.

Last season there was no greater threat than Szmodics, as he demonstrated at Elland Road when the 28-year-old scored the winner in a crushing 1-0 win in April.

He isn't going to be cheap if Blackburn have already turned down multiple bids from Ipswich and it is going to be extremely hard to compete against the offer of Premier League football, but the Whites are apparently going to try for a deal.

In other Leeds United news, a Premier League club has made an offer to take another "very expensive" Whites ace.

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