Arsenal are reportedly interested in Dominik Szoboszlai and are ready to table a bid to Red Bull Salzburg for the Hungary international.
According to an exclusive from Football Insider, Dominik Szoboszlai is drawing interest from several top European clubs. Arsenal are among a number of clubs interested in the Red Bull Salzburg star, with the report tipping Arsenal to lodge a bid in the coming days for the Hungary international.
Dominik Szoboszlai is the son of former Hungarian striker Zsolt Szoboszlai, who spent his entire career within Hungary at club level and was more of a journeyman throughout his career. Dominik though, is likely to have eclipsed his father’s legacy already, having started from the same place – Videoton’s youth setup.
Young Dominik chose to venture out from Hungary to Austria early on in his career, opting to move to Red Bull Salzburg. The move saw the 18-year-old be privy to European football as he stamped his presence on the first-team setup at the club in the 2018-19 season.
The 2018-19 season has been a joyride for Dominik, who posted impressive numbers for the second team, FC Liefering in the 2.Liga (6 goals and 4 assists in 9 games). This was enough to earn him a regular place in the first-team setup and Dominik did not disappoint, with a return of 3 goals and 4 assists in the Austrian Bundesliga.
More than just numbers, it is the midfielder’s ability on the ball that saw Salzburg hand him a new deal in March, 2019. The summer transfer window though, has brought forth interest from the top brass of European football, with the likes of Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and two other unnamed clubs chasing the 18-year-old central midfielder.
Arsenal have lost Aaron Ramsey on a free transfer while there are fresh links emerging of Lucas Torreira being on the radar of AC Milan. Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi remain solid options for Unai Emery. But, the manager will need to add at least a replacement for Aaron Ramsey for the upcoming season.
With a tight budget to consider in the grand scheme as well, pursuing Szoboszlai makes sense. The 18-year-old is valued at €9 million by RB Salzburg, which could turn into another a-la Guendouzi deal for the Gunners.
Szoboszlai’s numbers for Salzburg also hint that he could turn into a proper replacement for Aaron Ramsey if played in an advanced position. Neither Dortmund nor Juventus can promise regular first-team action to Szoboszlai, something Arsenal can.
The Gunners may not be able to promise a key role from the get-go. But, Szoboszlai can be given the example of Guendouzi, who ended the season as one of the regular members of the playing eleven at Emirates.
While Salzburg would hope for an auction situation that will enable them to rake in more than the reported €9 million, Arsenal could swoop in quick for the 18-year-old and prevent the potential of some other club driving up the price. This deal seems realistic considering Arsenal’s budget and their need to reinforce other priority areas.
