Newcastle United are out of the race to sign Dominik Szoboszlai.
That is according to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, who states that the Magpies have ended their interest in signing the RB Leipzig star.
The report adds that the path is now clear for Liverpool to land the 22-year-old. Ornstein states that the Reds are ready to push ahead and sign Szoboszlai, whose £60million release clause expires today.
That clause looked like it would force either Newcastle or Liverpool into action, and it appears to be the latter who are making their move. Unsurprisingly, it is the Magpies who are not panicking and instead look set to go elsewhere.
The report states that Liverpool are confident they can do a deal, while it has been suggested elsewhere that the player wants to go to Anfield and play for Jurgen Klopp.
Blow for Newcastle as Liverpool push for Szoboszlai
That is a blow for Newcastle, who would be able to offer Szoboszlai Champions League football. It felt like that might tempt him to Tyneside, but that is not the case.
It means that Newcastle are now set to miss out on two major targets in the space of a few days. The week started with James Maddison joining Tottenham, and it looks like it will end with Liverpool snapping up Szoboszlai ahead of us.
But the Toon recruitment team will not panic. They will have alternatives lined up – perhaps talk of Mohammed Kudus joining the club could resurface.
Ever since Liverpool entered the conversation, the Szoboszlai deal has always looked difficult to do. Newcastle do not want to pay £60million for him, and have less negotiating power if another club is trying to sign him. The looming expiry of his release clause has also complicated matters.
It is a great shame, as Szoboszlai would have been amazing addition at St James’ Park. He fits the profile the club are looking for, and would have fit in perfectly alongside Alexander Isak and the imminent new arrival Sandro Tonali.
But it looks like Szoboszlai is on his way to Liverpool, which means he will be a rival next season.
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