The Blues spent £9m on Irish international attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics, 30, whose 2025 was affected by injuries. Derby were interested last summer. Szmodics, who joined Ipswich in August 2024, has a contract until June 2028. The Ireland international has 11 caps and has made 13 appearances in the Championship this season. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €7.00m.