Sammie Szmodics Next Club Odds: Ipswich And Leeds In Battle For Blackburn Star

One of the best players in the Championship last season was Blackburn Rovers striker Sammie Szmodics. 

He may not have won the league's player of the year award, but his contribution to keeping the Ewood Park club in the second tier was phenomenal.

In a team that finished three points and three places above the relegation zone, Szmodics scored 27 league goals for Rovers.

That equated to 45% of his side's goals in the Championship, the highest share of goals for one player in any of England's top four leagues.

He was three clear of Adam Armstrong at the top of the goalscoring chart, which would have won you a few quid had you backed him on football betting sites.

Without his goals, Blackburn would probably have been relegated and preparing for life in League One. 

The club won't want to lose their star man, but they will not want to stand in the way of the player's career, if he wanted to move on, especially if the club received a big transfer fee for the Republic of Ireland international. 

Let’s take a closer look at the clubs who might be willing to splash the cash for the forward.

McKenna Keen On Szmodics

What a season it promises to be for Ipswich Town, who are back in the Premier League for the first time since the 2001/02 season. 

In Kieran McKenna, they have one of the best young managers in the game right now and after securing back-to-back promotions, McKenna is hot property

If the Tractor Boys are to survive in the Premier League, they will need to strengthen their squad considerably, especially in attack. 

Sammie Szmodics may be untested in the top flight, but he might just be worth a punt. Ipswich are the 6/5 favourites on UK betting sites to sign the 28-year-old.

Szmodics Could Fire Leeds To Promotion

Leeds United will have spent the summer reflecting on how their promotion bid crumbled in the closing stages of the last campaign.

All areas of their game could have been better, but injuries deprived them of Patrick Bamford's services for parts of the season, including the playoffs. 

Bamford's injuries means he cannot be relied upon to score the goals to take Leeds back to the Premier League, so the addition of Szmodics would make sense. 

Szmodics scored the only goal of the game when Blackburn beat Leeds at Elland Road in the title run-in. 

Leeds are 5/4 second favourites on betting apps to add Szmodics to their squad. 

Celtic Can Offer Champions League Football

At 28, Szmodics' hopes of playing in the Champions League are running out. He's not likely to get there with Rovers, so if that is a dream of his, then a move to Celtic (2/1) would be ideal. 

Brendan Rodgers isn't afraid to sign players from the Championship. Rodgers took Norwich forward Adam Idah on loan last season, and the club are reportedly interested in making it a permanent move.

Szmodics could thrive in the Scottish top flight and he'll get a chance to play on Europe's biggest club stage - the Champions League. 

The Republic of Ireland international would be a welcome addition to help the Hoops defend the double they won last season.

Szmodics Would Strengthen Fulham's Attack 

Fulham's attack could do with a new addition or two and Szmodics is a players that will offer them a new dimension. 

The Cottagers struggled for goals last season after losing Aleksandar Mitrovic to the Saudi League 12 months ago. 

Fulham (5/2) would be a safe bet for Szmodics, as they are unlikely to be dragged into a relegation battle next season. 

No Fulham player reached double figures in the league last season and Szmodics would certainly have that as his number one goal. 

Landing Szmodics Would Make Luton Favourites 

Luton Town are already one of the favourites to win the Championship next season.

The Hatters (4/1) came so close to defying the odds and surviving in the Premier League, but their fate was sealed on the final day of the season. 

Boosted by parachute payments, Luton will be keen to capitalise on that and make it back to the top flight, where they will feel they have unfinished business. 

Everton Crying Out For Reliable Striker

Sean Dyche will hope next season will be a lot smoother as Everton manager compared to the last three, when avoiding relegation was the goal. 

During those three campaigns, first choice striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin spent almost as much time in the treatment room as he did on the pitch.

Strengthening his attacking options has be a priority for Dyche this summer and Szmodics could be someone Everton could be interested in.

For the player, a move to the Toffees (6/1) would be timely ahead of their final season at Goodison Park and Szmodics wouldn't have to leave the north-west. 

If you have a free bets or two to use, why not use it on this market. 

Bournemouth And Nottingham Forest Among Outsiders

Bournemouth have made some excellent signings of late, but their sporting director Richard Hughes has joined Liverpool.

The Cherries have a good structure in place though, and they could be contenders to sign Szmodics. You can get a price of 8/1 on the Blackburn star ending up at the Vitality Stadium.

Nottingham Forest are listed at 12/1 on new betting sites. 

Their scattergun approach to recruitment has landed them in trouble with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. 

Even if Forest do manage to secure another season of top-flight football, they could do with a more targeted approach to signing players.

Leicester (14/1) and Brentford (16/1) are also on the look out for more attacking options and Szmodics could fit in at either club.