Liverpool are in talks to sign Dominik Szoboszlai, who is considered “as talented as Erling Haaland”.

Athletic’s David Ornstein said Liverpool met with representatives for Szoboszlai this week to discuss a possible summer transfer.

According to the publication, the midfielder has a €70million escape clause in his contract with RB Leipzig.

While Liverpool have already started exploring the possibility of signing the attacking midfielder, there is “acceptance within the club” that it will be “very difficult to strike a deal”.

A possible deal would become even more complicated if the 22-year-old’s release clause expires, which Sky Germany claims on June 30 (Friday).

Szoboszlai has attracted Premier League interest after an impressive season at Leipzig, which he joined from Red Bull Salzburg in 2021.

The Hungary international scored ten goals and provided 13 assists in 46 appearances for the Bundesliga side last season.

Szoboszlai vs. Haaland

Former Leipzig and Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch has insisted Szoboszlai is just as talented as Haaland – a player who scored 52 goals in all competitions last season.

Speaking to the Bundesliga website three weeks ago, Marsch, who also coached Haaland at Salzburg, said: “As far as talent goes, there aren’t many top players who can play at his position.”

“Some are strong, some are technical, some are tactical and some are good at defending or running a lot. “However, Dominik is special because he combines all these skills. Dominik is just as talented as Erling Haaland.

Meanwhile, Leipzig coach Marco Rose said in January: “Now we see the real Szoboszlai.”
“He’s an incredibly ambitious player who wants to win. His shooting is exceptional, especially from distance. I hope he can continue like this.”

More news…..

Call from Fernando Torres to Liverpool secure $17.5 million transfer

A phone call from Fernando Torres helped convince ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson to join the club in 2011 instead of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Johnson moved to Anfield in 2009 after a three-year spell at Portsmouth where he won an FA Cup and played European football.

After an excellent spell at Fratton Park following his departure from Chelsea, the defender has established himself in the English squad and as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

His move to Liverpool saw him win the League Cup in 2012, and he was a regular in the team that finished runners-up in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers in 2013/14.

He made exactly 200 appearances in all competitions as a Reds player before being released in 2015, before spending the last three seasons of his career at Stoke. Johnson has since openly explained what led to his move to Liverpool, while rejecting bids from Manchester City and Chelsea, who wanted to re-sign him.

One of the Reds’ key players at the time was Fernando Torres, the Spaniard signed from Atlético Madrid in 2007.
In his first two seasons with the club, he scored 38 Premier League goals. At this point, there were still 18 months to go before his ill-fated £50million move to Chelsea.

And Johnson explained in a 2021 interview how the Liverpool striker, along with star teammates Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, played a key role in his decision to move to Anfield despite Liverpool’s inability to continuously compete for the Premier League to fight for titles in the seasons before his arrival.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “Obviously when a club like Liverpool comes knocking you immediately have an eye and an interest.”

“But what a momentum it was, we played for England that summer just before I signed and I had a good chat with Stevie. And then I also spoke to Torres and Alonso before signing.

“I just thought they were some of the best players in the world. They don’t have to call me, but they called me to tell me how much they wanted me to participate.”
“I immediately felt like I knew her and felt super welcomed before I signed and everything went smoothly.”