"Will want to go" - Simon Grayson makes claim on Sammie Szmodics' Blackburn future as Leicester City and Everton lurk | OneFootball

Former Leeds United and Sunderland manager Simon Grayson believes midfielder Sammie Szmodics will be keen to leave Blackburn Rovers this summer amid increasing interest from elsewhere.

Despite playing in a team that struggled towards the bottom of the table for much of the season, Szmodics enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Blackburn, and he was the top scorer in the Championship with an impressive 27 league goals.

Szmodics' form was a huge factor in Rovers surviving in the second tier, but they could be vulnerable to losing their prized asset this summer.

Everton, Brentford, Luton Town, Sheffield United and Leicester City have all been credited with an interest in Szmodics, who is under contract at Ewood Park until the summer of 2026, with Blackburn having the option to extend for a further year.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast earlier this month, Szmodics said he would be happy to remain in Lancashire this summer, but he admitted his ambition is to play at the highest level.

"I can't imagine anyone would (begrudge him a move to the Premier League). I've kept Blackburn up, I've done a real good job for them and it's a great club to play for," Szmodics said.

"If I'm still there next season, then happy days. If I'm not, it means I've gone on financially to be better - and to play at a higher level.

"That's what we play football for and I want to play at the highest level. There is no better opportunity than now to try and do that."

Simon Grayson on Sammie Szmodics' Blackburn Rovers future

Grayson said that Szmodics will want to leave Blackburn this summer, and he believes the money received from his sale could help Rovers to rebuild their squad.

"First and foremost, he's had an unbelievable season, the amount of goals and assists he's had in a team that was at the wrong end of the division for most of the season is credit to his ability and his attitude," Grayson said.

"I think it's a no-brainer that Blackburn will have to sell him because what it will allow them to do is get some money in and reshape the squad, which John Eustace will probably want to do, and hopefully he can use a bit of that money.

"Sammie will want to go, if not to a Premier League club, it might be one at the top end of the Championship that have maybe been relegated with parachute payments, and he thinks that he's got more of a chance of going back into the Premier League rather than maybe going into the Premier League and being a squad player.

"It's a really difficult situation for him, but I think he probably deserves and will justify the move.

"Blackburn, like any club, will be wanting to get as much money as possible to help them financially."

Blackburn Rovers must be prepared for Sammie Szmodics exit this summer

Blackburn will be desperate to keep hold of Szmodics this summer, but his departure looks inevitable.

It cannot be underestimated how crucial Szmodics has been for Rovers this season, and without his goals, they would almost certainly have been relegated to League One.

However, as Grayson says, after a remarkable season that saw him score 33 goals in all competitions, Szmodics has certainly earned the chance to make a move to the Premier League, and he should have plenty of top flight suitors over the coming months.

Blackburn will be incredibly disappointed to lose Szmodics, but they will make a big profit on the £1.8 million they paid Peterborough United for the 28-year-old in 2022, and the income will allow Eustace to strengthen his squad.