Sheffield United's Championship rivals 'closing in' on Sammie Szmodics deal as 'interest' declared in midfielder
All the very latest Championship transfer rumours ahead of the start of the 2026/27 campaign next month.
Sheffield United bolstered their defensive options at the start of this week with the signing of former Wolverhampton Wanderers right-back Matt Doherty.
Manager Chris Wilder had been keen to strengthen the right-back department following Ki-Jana Hoever’s return to Molineux after the end of his loan spell last season, and Doherty will provide important competition for Femi Seriki.
Signing a one-year deal at Bramall Lane, the 34-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the squad, ticking an important box for Wilder, who is keen to add some older heads to what is a relatively young squad this summer.
Following the return of Jaïro Riedewald and the capture of Romelle Donovan, Doherty is United’s third signing of the summer. The Blades are, of course, eager to make more additions before the season gets underway in a few weeks’ time.
With the start of the new Championship campaign just over three weeks away, clubs across the division are working hard to recruit new faces. With that said, here are some of the latest transfer rumours concerning the Blades’ second-tier rivals...
Derby ‘closing in’ on Szmodics
Derby County are ‘edging closer’ to re-signing Ipswich Town attacking-midfielder Sammie Szmodics, according to a report by BBC Sport. The former Blackburn Rovers man spent the second half of last season on loan at Pride Park, scoring three goals in 13 matches.
Szmodics, who was the leading goalscorer in the Championship in 2023/24, scoring 27 goals for Blackburn Rovers, is not thought to have a future at Ipswich following their return to the Premier League. He joined the Tractor Boys in August 2024 and has made just 39 appearances for the club.
The report states that Szmodics, 30, could move to Pride Park on a permanent basis in a ‘deal worth more than £4 million’. The former Colchester United man has previously worked with Rams boss John Eustace on two separate occasions.
Szmodics, who cost Ipswich £9 million almost two years ago, is, according to reports elsewhere, also attracting interest from Birmingham City. He has made 147 Championship appearances in his career, scoring 43 goals.
Blackburn ‘interested’ in experienced midfielder
According to a report by the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are ‘one of many clubs interested’ in signing Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne. The experienced midfielder recently returned to the Stadium of Light after spending last season on loan at Middlesbrough.
The 31-year-old, who has played more than 400 games in the Championship, made 42 appearances for Boro across all competitions last term, chipping in with four goals. He started their 1-0 defeat to Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May.
Blackburn want to bolster their midfield options ahead of their Championship curtain-raiser against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14, and Browne, according to the report, is among their targets. However, the report states that a ‘host’ of other Championship clubs have already ‘enquired’ about his signature.
Browne is currently in the United States with Sunderland as part of their pre-season preparations.