Arsenal, Spurs hopes dashed as rival club plot plan to lure star midfielder
RB Leipzig have devised a plan to beat Arsenal and Tottenham to the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai, according to a report.
The 20-year-old is in high demand right across Europe after his stunning rise for RB Salzburg. Indeed, the midfielder has already scored 22 goals and laid on 33 others in 75 games for the Austrian side.
As such, several reports have claimed that Arsenal are keen to sign him in the January transfer window. The Gunners are short on creativity and have only netted nine times in the Premier League this term.
What’s more, Football Insider claims that Spurs are also in ‘hot pursuit’ of the Hungary international. However, Leipzig have devised a strategy to land the talent.
The Bundesliga club will reportedly buy Szoboszlai from their sister club but loan him back until the end of the season. The German side hope that such an approach will sit well with Salzburg chiefs.
Arsenal’s plan to land Szoboszlai reportedly involved the north London club by paying his £23million release clause in a number of instalments.
The Gunners used such a deal structure to land Nicolas Pepe for £72million from Lille in 2018.
And while it is unclear whether Salzburg would prefer the entire release clause up front, Leipzig hope that their approach will pay dividends.
After scoring 12 goals and 18 assists last season, Szoboszlai has continued such sparkling form this season. Indeed, the midfielder could beat that tally with five goals and nine lay-ons this term.
But Football Insider notes that his form in the Champions League has proved ‘critical’ in his recent rise.
Previous reports have claimed that Liverpool and Manchester United are also keen on the player.
Eriksen off Arsenal’s radar
Meanwhile, reports elsewhere claim that Christian Eriksen will not be a target for Arsenal in January.
The Inter Milan midfielder feels unsettled at the Serie A club, whose CEO Beppe Marotta has said that the player could leave in the coming months.
However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly has more pressing concerns to address in the winter window.
