Brentford and Luton ready to fight it out for Championship goal machine Sammie Szmodics as Blackburn name transfer price
BLACKBURN want up to £20million for their top scorer Sammie Szmodics.
Rovers’ goal machine is tearing up the Championship, alerting Prem clubs — including some of those who may go down.
Luton and Brentford have camped out at Blackburn games while Sheffield United are also admirers.
But Rovers are looking for £15-20m to let the attacking midfielder go.
That would be similar to the fee for midfielder Adam Wharton who joined Crystal Palace for £18m, rising to £22m, in January.
Szmodics, 28, has had the season of his life, hitting 31 goals in all competitions despite Blackburn struggling.
The playmaker has also amassed two caps with the Republic of Ireland.
The valuation may be too high for the Irishman’s fan club but offers are bound to start landing soon.
Meanwhile, Birmingham are ready to fight Blades for Leeds’ Luke Ayling at the end of the season.
Ambitious Blues are struggling to avoid relegation in the Championship basement.
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But the American-backed club will be serious contenders if they can avoid the drop.
Ayling, 32, is on loan at Middlesbrough until the end of the season.
But prolonging his career at St Andrew’s with Brum is a very real option.
Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important player
By Dean Scoggins
KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
But has now well and truly found his feet.
The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
Click here to read all about it.
Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube.