Dominik Szoboszlai has indicated that he wants to join Liverpool with Newcastle pulling out of the running for him, which has increased the possibility of a deal being concluded with RB Leipzig for the midfielder.
Liverpool are pressing ahead in discussions and the player’s release clause of £60m is understood to expire on Friday.
Liverpool have met with the representatives of RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai as part of their midfield rebuild. The meeting, which happened on Monday, went positively.
There is clear appreciation for Szoboszlai’s talent and attitude, however the club are assessing multiple candidates simultaneously and do not want to rush into a decision as they carefully plot their revamp.
The Hungarian’s comfort in playing across the midfield, his impressive chance creation metrics, and ball-carrying ability fits the profile Liverpool are after.
The club have been exploring multiple options to enhance the technical quality, dynamism, and depth in their central area.
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is also a target, while background work has been done on Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Khephren Thuram of Nice.
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is wanted by Liverpool
Liverpool are navigating the biggest shake up of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at a time when the market – especially for midfielders – is severely inflated, and without Champions League revenue or a big player sale to help.
Affordability, availability, and the appetite to restore Liverpool as a domestic and European force are the core factors being assessed.
The Reds secured Alexis Mac Allister at the start of June for an initial fee of around £35m in the type of shrewd transfer that had marked them out as recruitment leaders.
However, that deal is viewed as an anomaly rather than the norm during a summer of soaring valuations.
Szoboszlai the value pick in sellers’ market
Szoboszlai won the German Cup with RB Leipzig
Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds:
“In a summer that has seen Jude Bellingham become the most expensive British footballer of all time, Declan Rice is commanding a fee north of £100m and Mason Mount is worth upwards of £55m, Liverpool are looking for bargains.
“The early arrival of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister fits the player profile Jurgen Klopp is identifying at the age of 24.
“Dominik Szoboszlai is of the same mould. Still only 22, the Hungary captain is ripe for further improvement.
Hungary’s captain in Euro 2024 qualifying action
“A recent appearance against Montenegro in a European Qualifier ended goalless and largely forgettable, but it was punctuated by Szoboszlai’s superior quality.
“Comfortable in the tight spaces of that pitch in Podgorica, the Premier League could be his next destination.
“The player’s £60m release clause expires on Friday, and RB Leipzig are braced for a potential surge of late interest.
There is appreciation for Szoboszlai’s talent and attitude
“Szoboszlai scored 10 goals, registered 13 assists last season and is ready to leave the Bundesliga side. Victory in the DFB-Pokal Cup over Eintracht Frankfurt felt a fitting end.
“Liverpool will look to use Leipzig’s interest in Fabio Carvalho as leverage but talks on that deal for the 20-year-old have been conducted separately.
“Szoboszlai could well prove the value pick in a sellers’ market.”
What would Szoboszlai bring?
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Andy Brassell describes RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai as ‘Premier League ready’ as Newcastle and Liverpool target the Hungarian national team captain.
European football expert Andy Brassell on The Transfer Show:
“Szoboszlai is a very good player, he is Premier League ready. He goes box-to-box, gets through tonnes of work, he’s an incredible athlete, great technique, loves a shot from outside the box, can score goals and create goals, and loves to take responsibility in taking a team forward.
“Both clubs that have been linked with him, Newcastle and Liverpool, are good fits for him. If you look at how athletic Newcastle have become under Eddie Howe, he will add something. Liverpool were lacking dynamism in midfield last season, and he would improve them too.”
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