By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

27th Jun, 2023 | 5:14pm

Everton reject £4m Ipswich Town bid for Simms - sources

Ipswich Town have had a £4million bid for Ellis Simms rejected by Everton, sources have told Football Insider.

The 22-year-old striker is a target for a number of clubs in this summer’s transfer window with Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Stoke City all chasing his signature.

Ipswich are preparing to return to the Championship in 2023/24 and have firmed up their interest in Simms with a formal offer, but it has been turned down by Everton.

The Toffees decided to reject the offer despite Simms entering the final year of his contract at Goodison Park.

It is understood that Everton boss Sean Dyche would consider selling Simms this summer if they receive a suitable offer in order to boost his own transfer plans.

The young forward spent the first half of last season on loan at Championship side Sunderland, where he scored seven goals and assisted twice in 17 appearances.

Simms’ strong performances at the Stadium of Light caught the eye of the coaching staff at Everton, and he was recalled by the Merseyside club on 1 January.

The Oldham-born striker went on to make a further 11 appearances with the Toffees for a total of 219 minutes.

He scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea in March.

Simms has also experienced loan stints at Blackpool in 2021 and Hearts in 2022 before his temporary stint at Sunderland.

Simms formerly played in Man City’s youth academy but completed a switch to Everton and graduated to the first team in 2020.

In other news, Branthwaite wants to leave Everton after West Ham make move