Liverpool has steadily moved closer to a prospective acquisition of Dominik Szoboszlai, but the most recent rumours indicate they will have to fend off competition from other parties.
Szoboszlai’s interest in the Reds was originally made public earlier this week when The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that negotiations between the team and the player regarding a potential transfer had begun.
The RB Leipzig midfielder, who is on Liverpool’s list of summer targets along with players like Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, and Ryan Gravenberch, is versatile and can play both on the right wing and in the middle of the park.
The 22-year-old’s preference would be a switch to Liverpool over Newcastle, according to top reporter for the Leipziger Volkszeitung Guido Schafer, who said as much in an interview with The Anfield Wrap on Thursday. However, it seems that things may not be as simple as that.
Friday morning, Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph reported that Liverpool had spoken with Szoboszlai but that the club had “played down” its interest because of the anticipated expense.
Liverpool have spoken with Szoboszlai’s representatives, according to Bascombe, but they have so far downplayed their level of interest in light of the entire expense.
“Jürgen Klopp’s desire for another attacking midfielder is well known, and Liverpool is considering a number of options ahead of the new season while also being fully aware of the Szoboszlai deadline.”
Paul Joyce of the Times repeated the allegations, saying that a Liverpool offer isn’t “imminent” but that interested parties might have to bargain for a greater price than the £60 million release clause that is set to expire on June 30.
It confirms Ornstein’s assertions that the deal is “complicated” at this point, with the money probably posing the biggest hurdle to completing the transfer.
Although Liverpool appears to be really interested in making the transfer, it will be difficult to match Newcastle’s financial clout.
Since Szoboszlai’s current deal with RB Leipzig isn’t slated to expire until 2026, the Reds may find it difficult to afford his asking price this summer.
Although there seems to be a lot to be done if a deal is to be completed, Liverpool will be hopeful that their long-standing relationship with RB Leipzig would be helpful in discussions.
