Journalist states who Szoboszlai wants to join – Liverpool or Newcastle

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Newcastle United want to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, but are suddenly being challenged by Liverpool.

The Magpies look likely to turn to the 22-year-old following James Maddison’s move to Tottenham, with Eddie Howe’s side recently holding talks with Leipzig.

However, Newcastle are not the only Premier League club who are looking to do a deal.

Liverpool have now registered their interest, with the Athletic stating that the Reds have held talks with Szoboszlai’s representatives about joining them ahead of next season.

That creates a problem for Newcastle, who are already struggling to do a deal for the Hungarian due to his asking price. Leipzig want his £60million release clause paid in full, but Toon officials believe it is too much and want to negotiate a smaller fee.

Finances would also be a problem for Liverpool, but if money was no issue then who would Szoboszlai choose to sign for? Newcastle would fancy their chances given they can provide Champions League football unlike Liverpool.

However, former defender and now journalist for the Leipziger Volkszeitung Guido Schafer believes that Szoboszlai wants to sign for Liverpool.

Szoboszlai prefers Liverpool over Newcastle

Following speculation over a move to Anfield, Schafer has spoke to The Anfield Wrap about Szoboszlai’s future.

“He wants to leave,” he said.

“He said ‘I want to make the next step’, and he loves the Premier League.

“If he can choose between Champions League with Newcastle and Europa League with Jurgen Klopp, he will choose Klopp and the Europa League. That is for sure.

“This [Liverpool] is an outstanding club and the best manager in the world. For me, it’s very very true that Szoboszlai wants to go to Liverpool, not Newcastle, not Man City.

“He wants to go to Liverpool, but I think it’s a financial problem.”

Conundrum for Newcastle

If Schafer is correct then this is a big problem for Newcastle. It also suggests that the immediate lure of Champions League football is not necessarily enough to attract the big names to St James’ Park.

While we did finish above Liverpool last season, they are historically a bigger club who have a recent history of winning major honours. It is not difficult to understand why a move there would be appealing.

That creates an issue for Newcastle, who might be less keen on a player who has eyes on a move elsewhere. Obviously Liverpool is a dream club for a lot of footballers, but Newcastle will not want to be used as a stepping stone.

Szoboszlai might not necessarily do that, but Schafer’s claim that he wants to sign for Liverpool instead of the Magpies is certainly a concern if it is indeed true.