Ipswich Town make enquiry over signing Chelsea star… as they also agree deal to sign Sammie Szmodics with the Blackburn forward set to undergo a medical

Ipswich Town are pushing to sign two forwards as they look to bolster their attacking options for the new season.

The Tractor Boys – who are returning to the Premier League after a 22-year absence – have agreed a deal with Blackburn Rovers for striker Sammie Szmodics. 

Szmodics, who topped the Championship scoring charts with 27 goals in 44 appearances last season, is set to undergo a medical with Ipswich on Friday.

Kieran McKenna‘s side have also made an enquiry over the signing of Chelsea striker Armando Broja. 

Mail Sport reported this week that Chelsea are looking to recoup £200m by selling up to 10 players after £54m signing Pedro Neto became their 12th summer transfer. 

Kieran McKenna’s (left) side have also made an enquiry over Chelsea’s Armando Broja (right)

Broja is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge given their pool of attacking talent, and the Albanian is on Stuttgart’s wishlist and also admired by Wolves. 

The 22-year-old was part of the travelling Chelsea squad for their tour of the United States but was used sparingly as the Blues looked to the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu in the absence of Nicolas Jackson who was injured. 

He spent the second-half of last season on loan at Fulham but did not make a start for the Cottagers. 

Ipswich have held an interest in Szmodics throughout the summer transfer window.

They had a £7m bid rejected for the 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international earlier this summer, but look to have come to terms with Blackburn over a fee.

In addition to winning the second tier’s Golden Boot last term, Szmodics was also named in the Championship Team of the Season.

His form earned him his first senior international appearance for the Republic of Ireland as he started their 0-0 draw with Belgium in March.

Meanwhile, Ipswich are also close to signing Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on a season-long loan. 

Ipswich are also looking to secure the loan signing of Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City

The Englishman has struggled for minutes at the Etihad in recent years, in addition to a disappointing loan spell at West Ham last season.

Despite travelling with Man City to the United States as part of their pre-season tour – where he featured as a central defender – Phillips failed to impress Pep Guardiola.

However, he could prove to be a shrewd signing for Ipswich on loan, with the Tractor Boys having already signed Omari Hutchinson, Jacob Greaves, Arijanet Muric and Liam Delap. 

Ipswich start their Premier League season at home on Saturday against Liverpool.