Fulham have reportedly joined Luton Town and Brentford in the race for Blackburn Rovers attacker Sammie Szmodics ahead of the summer transfer window.
Following the departure of Ben Brereton Diaz to La Liga giants Villarreal at the conclusion of last season, Rovers were in desperate need of attacking firepower.
Luckily for them, Szmodics has stepped up to the goalscoring plate at Ewood Park this term, netting 21 goals in just 36 Championship appearances for the Lancashire side.
The 28-year-old's best-ever campaign in terms of goals before this year arrived at third-tier Peterborough United in 2020-21, when he made the net ripple on 15 occasions in League One.
Last week, it was reported that two Premier League strugglers had registered their interest in Szmodics as the season approaches its business end.
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Both top-flight newcomers Luton and Thomas Frank's Brentford are said to be keen on a summer swoop for Blackburn's leading marksman, although there are several factors that could impact a potential switch, especially to Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters' pursuit for Szmodics is dependent on their ability to retain their first-tier status, with Rob Edwards's men currently sitting inside the Premier League relegation zone.
As for Brentford, they are already planning for life after Ivan Toney, who has been linked to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in recent months.
However, in a new twist to an emerging transfer saga, journalist Alan Nixon is claiming that Fulham have also joined the race for Szmodics ahead of the 2024-25 term.
It is believed that Marco Silva's Cottagers sent one of their chief scouts - Brian Talbot - to cast an eye on the 28-year-old when Blackburn faced Plymouth Argyle on March 9.
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The ex-Peterborough man netted his 21st of the Championship campaign against Ian Foster's Green Army, but a late Morgan Whittaker goal meant that Rovers had to settle for a share of the points.
In an unusual set of circumstances for a player leading the second tier's Golden Boot race, Szmodics is embroiled in a relegation battle at Ewood Park this season.
Since the arrival of John Eustace to replace Jon Dahl Tomasson as manager in February, Blackburn have drawn six and lost two of their eight Championship contests, leaving them just three points ahead of 22nd-placed Huddersfield Town.
Looking to secure his maiden success as coach of the Ewood Park outfit, Eustace and Blackburn will welcome top-two chasing Ipswich Town to Lancashire following the international break.
Carter White
