Ipswich Town are closing in on the signing of Sammie Szmodics after finally agreeing a package with Blackburn Rovers.
The Blues have been locked in negotiations with the Championship club since an initial bid of around £6m was rejected more than three weeks ago.
It's understood that an offer of around £9m with add-ons has now been accepted and that the 28-year-old could complete switch tomorrow.
Szmodics started out at hometown club Colchester United before playing for Bristol City and Peterborough United.
He joined Blackburn in 2022 and has just had the season of his life, scoring 33 goals in all competitions for a side that finished 19th in the second-tier table. That form saw him break into the Republic of Ireland squad.
Uncertainty surrounding his future meant Szmodics didn't feature in any pre-season games, but has scored three goals in two matches since Blackburn got their season underway last Friday.
There looks set to be a flurry of transfer activity at Portman Road on the day before the big Premier League kick-off against Liverpool.
Town are also closing in on the eye-catching loan signing of Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. The 31-cap England international is in Suffolk and underwent a medical this afternoon.
It's understood the Blues could still also sign Swedish international midfielder Jens Cajuste on loan from Napoli.
Ipswich have also been in discussions with Chelsea over a potential loan deal for striker Armando Broja, though it's believed the Albanian international is keen to keep his options open for now.
Six new signings have arrived at Portman Road so far this summer in Aro Muric (Burnley, £8m), Ben Johnson (West Ham, free), Jacob Greaves (Hull, £15m), Conor Townsend (West Brom, £500k), Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea, £18m) and Liam Delap (Man City, £15m).
Attacking duo Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst have both suffered injuries in pre-season and will be sidelined for the opening weeks of the campaign. Following last weekend's final warm-up game, a 1-0 home win against Nice, McKenna had admitted his squad was 'short on numbers'.
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