Liverpool accelerate spectacular midfield signing, as Newcastle clear the way for immediate agreement
Liverpool will ramp up a move for RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai with all haste, with two top sources providing wholly encouraging updates amid Newcastle ending their chase.
Szoboszlai, 22, had emerged as an attack-minded midfield option for both Newcastle and Liverpool. The Hungary ace, 22, is known for his ball-carrying ability and chance creation metrics, and broke double figures in both goals and assists for RB Leipzig last season.
Szoboszlai’s current deal in Germany contains a release clause worth €70m (approx. £60m) that expires at midnight tonight. If a club lodges an official bid after that date, the clause is no longer valid until it becomes active again in the next January window.
As such, the clock is ticking and both the Times and Telegraph claimed Leipzig were braced for bids before the day is out.
Sky Sports and Sky Germany’s Phillip Hinze suggested Liverpool’s pursuit may drag on beyond June 30. However, according to David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, the situation has changed.
Indeed, Romano stated talks between Liverpool and Leipzig over the transfer of Szoboszlai are “concrete”. An initial meeting between Liverpool and the player’s camp on Monday is understood to have gone “positively”, per Sky Sports.
Liverpool and Leipzig have been in negotiations over sending Fabio Carvalho out on loan throughout the week. It was inevitable the topic of Szoboszlai would be broached and that’s exactly what transpired.
Romano stressed it’s a “key day” for the Reds with updates on their pursuit expected to come thick and fast. A subsequent tweet revealed negotiations between Liverpool and Leipzig are “very advanced and progressing to the final stages”.
Romano concluded there’ll be “no issues” on the player side, thus indicating agreeing personal terms won’t be a problem. Elsewhere, David Ornstein provided an equally encouraging update.
Indeed, the Athletic’s reporter claimed Liverpool are “ready to push ahead” with a move after Newcastle exited the race. Confirming that with a definitive statement on Twitter, Ornstein declared Newcastle are “out”.
Liverpool had initially expected the deal to be complicated, though it’s reported the dynamic has “shifted” and there is now growing confidence the transfer is there to be made.
If the Reds are serious about signing Szoboszlai, it stands to reason they will trigger the clause at some stage today.
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