After a phenomenal individual season with Blackburn Rovers, Sammie Szmodics’ long-term future at Ewood Park is unsurprisingly subject to plenty of speculation.
The 28-year-old has had a massive influence since joining Blackburn in 2022, sparing their blushes in a chaotic couple of years at the club that nearly culminated in relegation this season.
Blackburn finished just three points above the relegation zone this term, and they have Szmodics to thank after he bagged 27 league goals to win the Golden Boot.
Szmodics has been on an upward trajectory over the last couple of seasons, and there’s a huge chance he will embark on a new challenge.
However, there’s also a world where he chooses to remain at Blackburn, so let’s explore the various options available to the midfielder this summer.
Premier League
Leicester City and Ipswich Town have secured promotion to the Premier League and will be joined by one of Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion or Norwich City.
The quartet are set to battle for a place in the Championship play-off final dubbed ‘the richest game in football’ and potentially clinch the final promotion spot.
Szmodics’ versatility and goalscoring prowess make him a desirable target for the newly-promoted clubs, although his age could be an issue.
Blackburn’s valuation may also be a sticking point, with the club demanding at least £20 million to part ways with their headline performer.
Landing Szmodics at that price tag could still be considered a bargain, but promoted clubs may be reluctant to fork out such an amount on a single player.
Championship
Remaining in the English second tier is also an option for Szmodics, especially if the heavy hitters test Blackburn’s resolve with a big-money proposal.
Only a few Championship clubs can match Blackburn’s demands, including Sunderland. Despite their underwhelming campaign, joining the Black Cats would be a good move for Szmodics, especially if the club can lure Danny Rohl to the Stadium of Light.
After rescuing Sheffield Wednesday from relegation, Rohl has become one of the hottest properties in the managerial market, and Sunderland are in the front row to land his signature.
If the Black Cats appoint Rohl as their next manager, signing Szmodics would be a statement of intent. He could easily be the difference between success and failure next season.
Celtic
A move to Celtic is another viable option for Szmodics this summer, particularly given he is now a Republic of Ireland international.
The Hoops have a massive fanbase on the Emerald Isle and they would love to see a player with Szmodics’ talent representing the club.
His attacking prowess would be a perfect fit for the Scottish Premiership, paving the way for the Irish international to repeat his Championship success at Celtic.
The prospect of Szmodics sporting the iconic green and white hoops could have a ripple effect beyond the pitch.
Punters in Ireland are known for their unwavering dedication to their local heroes and that could translate into increased interest in Szmodics from the betting community.
Ireland players have a well-established tradition of flourishing in the Scottish Premiership, which bodes well for punters looking to profit from Szmodics’ potential move to Celtic.
The best Irish betting sites in Ireland would likely see a dramatic increase in wagers placed on Szmodics, whose odds of winning the Premiership Golden Boot would be attractive to punters.
Blackburn
Szmodics recently hinted at potentially staying at Blackburn beyond this summer.
His 33 goals across all competitions etched his name into Blackburn history, becoming the club’s highest scorer in a single season since the legendary Alan Shearer in 1995/96.
“Now time for a well-earned rest and to go again next year,” said Szmodics in a social media post aimed at Blackburn fans, hinting he could remain at Ewood Park this summer.
Szmodics has already forged a deep connection with the club, so it would not be a difficult decision for him to remain with Blackburn.
Rovers may be a basket case under owners Venky’s, but wins against Leeds and Leicester in their final four games proved they can compete for a place in the top six.
While the allure of a big-money move holds significant weight, being a big fish in a small pond at Blackburn could be appealing to Szmodics.
The Irish international has been a beacon of hope for the club, and they should be looking to build their squad around him this summer.