Leeds United urged to sign 27-goal Blackburn Rovers star and ‘guarantee promotion’ by EFL chief.
Leeds United came within 90 minutes of a return to the Premier League last season.
Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes the arrival of Sammie Szmodics at Leeds United would ‘pretty much guarantee promotion’ next season.
Szmodics has been heavily linked with a move away from Blackburn Rovers, having enjoyed an outstanding individual season at Ewood Park with 27 goals in 44 Championship appearances for a bottom-half side. The 28-year-old is thought to be on the radar of several Premier League clubs and is reportedly valued at between £15-20million.
Leeds have only really been linked with Szmodics by supporters keen to see his goalscoring exploits at Elland Road – at least for the home team, having seen him net the winner in a decisive 1-0 Rovers win at Leeds last season. MacAnthony, a well-known and vocal Whites fan, had the pleasure of watching the Republic of Ireland international at Peterborough between 2019 and 2022, and the club chief insists his presence would set Daniel Farke’s side apart from the rest next season.
“Sammie, if I was at Leeds United, because they are going to lose some talent,” MacAnthony told Peterborough’s official website. “Doing what they have to do – he is pretty much guaranteeing you promotion, because you’re buying the golden boot winner. That’s my tip, Leeds fans, you should be buying Sammie Szmodics. Sorry Blackburn fans.”
Leeds face another key season, so get closer to the action with our new newsletter – Inside Elland Road with Graham Smyth
Leeds are not expected to pursue a move for Szmodics any time soon, with reinforcements further forward not yet a priority for Farke. The club have extensively scouted attacking options in anticipation of interest in Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, but those in charge are not actively looking to sell either after Archie Gray joined Tottenham Hotspur for £40m.
