Sammie Szmodics transfer latest: Sunderland claim, Celtic blow, Alan Shearer message | OneFootball

It's been a remarkable 2023/24 campaign for Blackburn Rovers' attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics.

The 28-year-old is the Championship's top scorer after finding the back of the net 24 times in 41 appearances, an incredible feat when you consider that he's not a striker, and he's playing for a side who are 17th in the Championship table.

The Republic of Ireland international was also one of three players nominated for the Championship Player of the Year award, but lost out to Leeds man Crysencio Summerville.

Despite missing out on the award, Szmodics has been a standout player in the Championship this season, and is very likely to attract transfer interest this summer.

With that in mind, here is the latest Sammie Szmodics transfer news...

Don Goodman makes Sammie Szmodics transfer prediction

Sky Sports' EFL pundit Don Goodman believes the only way that Sammie Szmodics will play Premier League football is by joining a Championship club that wins promotion to the top-flight.

With a contract at Ewood Park until the summer of 2026 and being 28-years-old, Goodman believes that a club like Sunderland should sign him, and that winning promotion with someone like the Black Cats is his best bet of playing in the Premier League.

Speaking to The Chronicle, Goodman said: "Do I think Sammie Szmodics would be a good addition for Sunderland? Yes. But based on their recruitment strategy of signing younger players they just wouldn’t go for him.

“Sammie’s got to keep on working hard and he may get an opportunity to move to a club that has an opportunity to reach the Premier League, with all respect to Blackburn. The only way he could reach the Premier League is by getting promoted with a club like Sunderland.

“With respect to him as a player, the step-up is massive, I would never say he can't make the step-up, but looking at his career, I'd say he's at his peak and a Premier League team will not come in for him.

“It's no dig at him, the same statement applies to a whole load of players in the Championship.”

Given his form for Rovers this season, Szmodics will believe he can do better than a move to Sunderland, particularly after his side smashed the Black Cats 5-1 at the Stadium of Light on Easter Monday.

Top clubs set to battle it out for Sammie Szmodics, Celtic dealt blow

It's been reported in recent months that the likes of Celtic, Brentford, and Fulham are all interested in a move for the Championship top scorer this summer.

The Irish international has two years left on his deal at Ewood Park, so it would have to be a good offer from an interested club if Blackburn were to accept it, but given the riches of Premier League sides, they'd be able to make Rovers a tempting offer.

However, Celtic have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Szmodics, with Football Insider reporting that the club will not be able to compete with their English counterparts when it comes to transfer fees and wages, with the Hoops set to be blown out of the water in any attempt to sign him.

Alan Shearer sends message to Sammie Szmodics

Blackburn Rovers' title-winning striker Alan Shearer has sent Sammie Szmodics a message to congratulate him on becoming the first Blackburn player to score 30 goals in a season since Shearer achieved the feat during the 1995/96 season.

Szmodics' winning goal against Leeds on Saturday was his 24th Championship goal of the season, and 30th in total after he scored six goals in three FA Cup appearances this season.

In a video posted on Blackburn's social media channels, the legendary striker says, "30, yeah, not bad, Congratulations, mate. Keep up the great work."

It was a nice touch from Shearer, and with three games remaining, Szmodics will be looking to add to his tally of 30.