Kieran McKenna recently signed a new contract to remain Ipswich Town manager (Image: Getty)
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna retains an interest in Blackburn Rovers forward Sam Gallagher heading into the summer transfer window. McKenna saw three bids for the player rejected by Rovers in January, but the saga could reignite as the manager and his backroom staff gear up for what will be a demanding top-flight season.
The Tractor Boys' highest offer clocked in at £1.5million, but Blackburn insisted the 28-year-old was not for sale and stopped the move in its tracks. Gallagher has since extended his Rovers contract until the summer of 2025.
An exit during the upcoming window remains a possibility, with Ipswich among those to have expressed an interest in the versatile forward in recent weeks. Express Sport understands McKenna still feels Gallagher, who can play out wide or up top, would be a good fit at Portman Road.
Swansea City have also placed Gallagher on their attacking wish list, as well as relegated Luton Town, who will first need to get their affairs in order before deciding which areas of their squad need new investment.
The race for Gallagher is still at an early stage and it could drag on late into the summer. Ipswich will be keen to find guaranteed goals for McKenna amid links to the likes of Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea's Armando Broja.
Both targets would bring a greater goal threat than Gallagher, who only found the net three times in the Championship last season, but their services would also come at a significantly higher price.
Sam Gallagher was the subject of three failed bids from Ipswich Town in January (Image: Getty)
Former Southampton forward Gallagher is a specialist at bringing others into play, which contributed to his Blackburn team-mate, Sammie Szmodics, winning the Championship Golden Boot in 2023/24.
Despite the interest received, Gallagher could yet remain at Ewood Park, and talks have taken place over another contract extension. Rovers face a fight to keep three of their attackers this summer as Szmodics is a target for Galatasaray and two unnamed Premier League clubs, while Tyrhys Dolan has stalled over signing a new deal.
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Szmodics is a boyhood West Ham fan and dreams of playing in the Premier League. Dolan, meanwhile, registered nine goal contributions last term, and at 22 years old he has been tipped to enjoy a bright future.
Blackburn are keeping a close eye on the contract situations of their most valuable players after losing Ben Brereton Diaz for free last year, despite the guarantee of an eight-figure fee if they had cashed in on him sooner.
