The summer transfer window has seen plenty of change for Leeds United so far, with incomings and outgoings aplenty.
Daniel Farke is preparing for another season in the Championship, intending to earn a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
The Whites need some key changes in areas of the squad though, with funds being raised from player sales already.
Archie Gray has made the move to Tottenham, while Joe Rodon has returned to Leeds in a switch in the opposite direction.
Other exits could be on the cards though, with Crysencio Summerville linked with a transfer as well as Wilfried Gnonto’s potential move to Everton.
While all of the talk in the forward department surrounds exits, there are some potential movements on a signing.
Leeds United interested in Sammie Szmodics transfer
With hopes of bolstering the forward ranks this summer, it appears as though Leeds are showing interest in Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics.
The 28-year-old scored 27 goals for a side that was threatened with relegation, winning the Golden Boot with performances that helped keep his side afloat.
With that impressive season behind Szmodics, The Mirror reports that Leeds are leading the race to sign the Republic of Ireland international this summer.
The Elland Road outfit isn’t alone in their interest though as Premier League side Ipswich Town are also in the race.
Blackburn are claimed to have made a new contract offer to Szmodics that would see him earn increased wages while strengthening a contract that has two years remaining on it.
How good is Sammie Szmodics?
With plenty of links surrounding Szmodics and a move to Leeds this summer, many will be asking just how good the attacking midfielder is.
Speaking in January about the star, former Blackburn head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson said in a press conference: “The development of Sammie is great to see.
“He’s a team player; he’s a goal scorer. He’s very good at doing all the things we want, then, of course, scoring those goals and even getting assists.
“And still, the good thing is, he can miss a chance, and it doesn’t matter; he can go on. Great character, and great to see him getting the ball with him at home.
“After Christmas last season, I think he’s been really good for Rovers, and after the summer holiday, he’s been extremely good. He’s also added those goals.
“We always know he can score goals, but he’s not used to playing a lot of games at this level.
“First of all, he played with Peterborough, but not a lot. The way he’s scoring goals, the confidence he’s playing with, and the role he takes as one of the senior players are quite incredible.”
While that progress is clear, with 27 goals scored last season, there is no guarantee that Szmodics will be able to replicate that form at Leeds.
His goal-scoring record in the Championship before last season saw him score 11 goals in 73 appearances.
That, naturally, brings about the risk that the previous campaign’s goal-scoring run can’t be replicated, though that remains to be seen.
Should he join Leeds, Szmodics would be playing in a more dominant team with a higher volume of chances, which could see him score yet more goals.
It remains to be seen if that move would work, but it’s one that could pay off for the side in their hunt for promotion.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
