Tottenham interest confirmed as Arsenal face race to lure top January target

Dominik Szoboszlai, Mbwana Samatta

Arsenal have learned how soon they will need to bid for Dominik Szoboszlai after Tottenham’s interest in the player was confirmed.

Szoboszlai is one of the most promising young players outside Europe’s biggest leagues. The Hungary international has established himself as an integral part of the RB Salzburg team that has dominated the Austrian top flight in recent years.

Salzburg have won the league in every season since Szoboszlai joined them in January 2018. However, they know they may not be able to enjoy his talents for much longer.

A number of clubs are interested in giving Szoboszlai a bigger platform on which to prove himself soon. For example, he has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal are keen to add more creativity to their side after failing to sign Houssem Aouar from Lyon this summer. A January deal for the Frenchman seems unlikely, so they have turned their attention to Szoboszlai.

However, they are not alone in their interest. Recent reports have suggested that rivals Tottenham may also swoop in for Szoboszlai – and David Ornstein has now confirmed those links.

 

Writing for The Athletic, Ornstein confirms that Tottenham are among six contenders for Szoboszlai. Arsenal remain another suitor, with European giants Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan all also keen.

However, the frontrunners at present are RB Leipzig – Salzburg’s sister club. The German outfit have provided a clear pathway for Salzburg’s best players to develop in recent years, and Ornstein claims they are leading the chasing pack for Szoboszlai.

Details of release clause emerge

The report adds that Szoboszlai’s release clause is not payable in installments, as previously believed. Therefore, any interested party will have to pay £22.6m in full within two weeks of triggering the exit clause.

What’s more, those clubs will have to work to a deadline. To leave in January, Szoboszlai must inform Salzburg of his plans by December 15th.

After that, clubs have a window until December 31st to make their bids, even though the transfer window will not be open until January.

If he does not move on in January, a similar agreement is in place for the summer. He will have to notify them of his plans to leave by June 30th before Salzburg will await bids until July 15th.

It is more likely that Szoboszlai will move midway through the current season, though. Therefore, Arsenal and Tottenham will have to work quickly to get their man.

READ MORE: Arsenal money man finances 18-month transformative splurge for Arteta