Edu engineers cheeky plan as Arsenal look to structure deal for top target
Arsenal hope to get the green light to sign Dominik Szoboszlai after reportedly contacting RB Salzburg about a way to structure a deal for the midfielder.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants to add more creativity to the centre of the park. Szoboszlai, 20, is seen as a player who can do just that having racked up some impressive numbers to date.
Despite his tender years, the talented schemer already has 12 caps for Hungary, scoring three goals. He has found the net 22 times from 74 outings in all competitions for Salzburg.
Having made his debut in May 2018, the former Liefering ace has won three league titles and two Austrian Cups. Not surprisingly, his displays have turned a few heads and Arsenal are one of a number of clubs linked.
RB Leipzig, Real Madrid and Milan are all said to be keen while others are expected to join the hunt.
Szoboszlai has a £23million release clause in his contract, according to reports. Now, according to the Daily Mirror, the Gunners are hoping to agree a deal in which they could pay that sum in three yearly instalments.
It is not known whether the Austrians will play ball or if the other suitors will make an up-front payment.
Nonetheless, technical director Edu will continue talks with officials at the Austrian club to try and structure a deal that suits all parties.
The Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Season has five goals and nine assists in 13 appearances this term.
Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch knows just how good the starlet is and is realistic about his future prospects.
“The reality is that a guy like Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to have many suitors this winter,” the American told the Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast.
“He’s an incredible talent, and I say this: When you coach young players, you have to love them and love the fact that they’re going to move on and love that they’re going to have big opportunities to prove themselves and show how good they are.”
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Salzburg expecting winter battle
Arsenal have struggled to score goals so far this campaign, with only nine in eight Premier League matches.
It is clear that Arteta wants someone who can unlock defences and Szoboszlai fits the bill. Whether or not they can get him only time will tell but Marsch will not stand in the youngster’s way.
“So with a guy like Dominik, I mean, I want him to show everyone in the world how good he is,” he added. “So let’s see what happens, but I would be surprised if he winds up staying past winter. We play with teenagers, and of course when they do well a lot of clubs get really excited.”
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