Real Madrid have reportedly made contact with Dominik Szoboszlai regarding a potential January move to Santiago Bernabeu amid Arsenal interest.
According to SportBild, as relayed by AS, Arsenal could face a major blow in their pursuit of Dominik Szoboszlai as Real Madrid have now stepped up their interest in the RB Salzburg attacker.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has apparently contacted Szoboszlai through a phone call, having identified him as a potential replacement for Isco. It is, however, fair to point out that RB Leipzig are leading the chase to sign the Hungarian international as the two clubs are owned by the same franchise.
Szoboszlai won’t be the first player to move from Salzburg to Leipzig, as stars like Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer have all done so in the past. But his potential transfer to the Bundesliga appears to be in doubt as it is believed that the player is surprised by Zidane’s profound interest. It doesn’t bode well for Arsenal, however.
The Gunners have been in the hunt for a new playmaker in recent weeks following their lack of creativity in the final third this season. They have unsurprisingly struggled without the presence of a proper number ten like Mesut Ozil while wingers like Nicolas Pepe, Willian and Reiss Nelson have just not been consistent enough.
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??? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ???'? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???????– Stengs & Szoboszlai the stand out boys ??
– #SkyBetChampionship lads up there with Buendia, Elliott & Olise
– Breakdown of each league in the thread ?? pic.twitter.com/MVk19MWdAE
— Liam Henshaw (@Henshaw_95) December 6, 2020
However, Real Madrid identifying Szoboszlai as a replacement for Isco makes this whole transfer saga rather interesting given the fact that the Spanish outcast is one of many playmakers who have been linked with a move to Emirates in recent weeks.
In fact, it won’t be surprising to see Isco emerging as the main target for Arsenal this season, although the club is also eyeing a move for Berkay Ozcan. Szoboszlai, on the other hand, remains an unrealistic option, not only due to stiff competition from top clubs but also the fact that Arsenal won’t be able to offer Champions League football for the Hungarian international.
As for Real Madrid, they could do with the arrival of someone like Szoboszlai. The 20-year-old fits in perfectly with Zidane’s counter-attacking style of play, so his tenacity and aggression could make him a useful asset in the first line of press. His versatility, on the other hand, means he can not only replace Isco but can also emerge as a long-term alternative for the ageing Luka Modric.
RB Leipzig, though, remain the biggest obstacle for Los Blancos in the pursuit of Szoboszlai as they brace themselves for a busy January transfer window.
