Club braced for Liverpool to make bid for their ‘special’ player today

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RB Leipzig are readying themselves for a late surge of interest in Liverpool target Dominik Szobozlai today.

Szoboszlai has a release clause sewn into his contract that is set to expire today. Up until the end of Friday, any club could sign the 22-year-old for around £60m.

And according to The Times, Leipzig are ‘braced’ to see offers come in until the deadline. Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Szoboszlai, and they are mentioned as a ‘potential suitor’ here, too. The only other club named are Newcastle United.

Despite their interest, it’s claimed that Liverpool have insisted that ‘no offer is imminent’ from their side. However, it’s suggested that this could be ‘put to the test’ if another club do indeed make a move.

For now, the most likely side to do that would appear to be Newcastle. They’ve reportedly been ‘closely following’ Szoboszlai as an alternative to James Maddison.

The Hungary international is said to be ‘ready’ to leave Leipzig. But should no one trigger the release clause, it’s claimed that the German club’s position in terms of keeping him would then become stronger.

Liverpool playing Szoboszlai poker

It’s fascinating that Liverpool’s interest in Szoboszlai has been revealed in the days leading up to the expiration of his release clause.

Of course, that could be purely coincidental. But the Reds don’t tend to do things by accident in the market. If they’ve accelerated things with the Hungarian, then maybe they really are ready to make their move.

As The Times point out though, a lot will perhaps depend on Newcastle. If they put out the money, maybe Liverpool will match it. If they don’t, the Reds may assume they aren’t serious, and proceed to negotiate a lower fee.

That sounds fine in theory, but there is one glaring hole in the logic.

Throughout this story’s development, Leipzig have been claimed to be in a stronger position should the release clause lapse. Now, it’s hard to believe that they’d seriously expect more than £60m for Szoboszlai. But Declan Rice is on the verge of being sold for over £100m.

In that kind of distorted market, Leipzig may hold out for a much higher fee. Hailed as ‘special’ by his former RB Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch [Nemzeti Sport], the Hungarian is a fine player. As teams become more desperate the closer the new season gets, who knows, someone might pay crazy money for their No.17.

One thing is for certain, though: that won’t be Liverpool. Say what you want about the Reds transfer policies, but they know how to drive a hard bargain. Your move, Newcastle.