RB Leipzig playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai a £60million transfer target for Liverpool.

Liverpool transfer target Dominik Szoboszlai’s release clause expires at midnight tonight.

Until then, the RB Leipzig player can be signed for £60million without the need for talks between the clubs, thanks to the option in the player’s contract.

However, if you want to sign the playmaker afterwards, you need to negotiate a transfer fee with Leipzig and not just use the clause.

Representatives of the Hungary international, also wanted by Newcastle, met with Liverpool officials earlier this week.

According to Sky Sports, the encounter went well but the Reds will not rush their decision to sign the 22-year-old as they explore their options following the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.

Nice’s Khephren Thuram and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch are two other midfielders close to their hearts. But the fact that they met the people of Szoboszlai clearly shows that they are very interested.

However, in the case of Liverpool, the expiry of the release clause after midnight could see them increase their interest rather than withdraw.

Indeed, fulfilling the clause would appear to require Jurgen Klopp’s side to pay the full £60million in one go. However, the negotiation with Leipzig would instead be about a deal where Liverpool could pay the fee in installments, or with add-ons forming part of the amount, as they do with other deals.

Mac Allister was signed for a guaranteed £35million which rises to £55million with add-ons and bonuses. The Reds have done a lot of business with Leipzig owners Red Bull in recent years and have brought in Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita from Leipzig since 2017.

They have also bought Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg – Szoboszlai’s former club for the Leipzig – in 2020.

Fabio Carvalho is currently on loan from Liverpool at Leipzig, while Sadio Manè is another former Salzburg player who played at Anfield.

Liverpool are hoping that such a strong relationship with Red Bull can help them sign Szoboszlai on more favorable terms, be it in the form of a lower overall fee, a fee paid over several years or with a part payment added. we.

However, Salzburg will collect 20% of any amount paid for the Hungarian attacking midfielder, meaning there is no guarantee the deal will ease next month or until August. Still, it’s easy to see why Klopp would be eager to work with the player.

Szoboszlai is an attacking midfielder with good numbers: 10 goals and 13 assists in all competitions in 46 games last season and 10 goals and nine assists in 45 games the year before.

He is also extremely versatile, able to play as an 8, left wing, right wing or as a number 10 on either side. And given his profile and his age, 22, combined with his experience (248 appearances for club and country), it’s no surprise he’s a target for Liverpool.

Szoboszlai has all the credentials, but it won’t be an easy deal given his enormous potential. Three years ago, when he left Salzburg for Leipzig, it cost him £17m.

However, the expiry of his release clause does not mean the end of Liverpool’s interest. It should have the exact opposite effect as sporting director Jorg Schmadtke tries to persuade Leipzig to accept a lower fee or a deal more suited to the Premier League giants.

More news…….

Nicolo Barella might be able to obtain his ideal Liverpool jersey number after the transfer

Liverpool have long been linked with the transfer of a midfielder from Inter Milan and Italy

Jürgen Klopp has made no secret of his admiration for Nicolo Barella and – in an ideal world – could be the perfect addition to his Liverpool squad.

A box-to-box midfielder with numerous attributes, Barella has long been linked with a move to Anfield as speculation about his future at Inter Milan mounts this summer. That said, there is a complication or two when it comes to a proposed transfer to Liverpool.

After initial plans to target Jude Bellingham were scrapped due to the huge financial cost, price remains an issue.

Even if they decide to capitalize on their star player, Inter would like around £80m for Barella, who still has three years on his contract.

However, reports from Italian publication Il Tempo suggest the figure could actually be closer to €80m (£68m). However, other clubs like Newcastle United are hiding behind his commitment anyway.

Another point to consider is that Liverpool are not securing their place in the Champions League.

However, the Reds still have enormous power and if all goes to plan their ban from Europe’s top competition will only last 12 months if they finish in the top four again next season.

Perhaps the biggest problem comes from the player itself. Inter are said to be ‘open’ to a sale but conflicting reports suggest Barella is ‘happy’ with the San Siro and has no intention of leaving the club.

This is where Klopp and his public admiration could come in. Depending on the financial means, the 26-year-old would obviously be welcomed with open arms at Anfield.

Should he ever land, a dream jersey number awaits – with a little catch. Barella currently wears Inter’s number 23 and has worn it since arriving from Cagliari three summers ago.

Of course, that particular shirt is currently worn by Luis Diaz, but there’s a chance the Colombian will decide to switch to the club’s legendary No.7 after James Milner dropped him when he left. Other team numbers now available include: 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 24 and 25 – plus other options in the 30s and 40s.