Newcastle United look set to turn to RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai after falling short in the race to sign James Maddison.
The Magpies have pursued the 26-year-old for a long time, but he is now set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur. Ange Postecoglu’s side will pay £40million for Maddison, after fending off interest from Newcastle.
After chasing him for so long, it sounds like Eddie Howe’s side went off signing Maddison. Interest cooled last week, and there has been a recent claim that the club could not see the England international playing alongside Allan Saint-Maximin.
This has resulted in Maddison going to Tottenham, and Newcastle looking elsewhere. And that could take them to Germany.
Newcastle to turn to Szoboszlai after Maddison
It was reported last week that Newcastle have held talks with RB Leipzig about signing Szoboszlai this summer. A move for the ‘special‘ Hungarian is now likely after the conclusion to the Maddison saga.
The 22-year-old has a £60million release clause, but the Magpies want to sign him for less. And a new report from the Northern Echo suggests that they might be able to do just that.
Toon think they can negotiate cheaper deal with RB Leipzig
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle believe that they can negotiate a lower price with Leipzig and a smaller wage package with Szoboszlai after holding talks with the Bundesliga club.
That is unlike the Maddison pursuit, where Leicester were keen to get £60million. It appears they have only lowered their asking price as there was only one team interested and they want him out the door as soon as possible.
If Newcastle can negotiate a lower fee for Szoboszlai then the recruitment team will feel very vindicated in their decision not to go for Maddison. Szoboszlai is much younger and will ask for less money, while he has the scope to get even better.
There’s a long way to go still, but if this comes off Newcastle will have pulled a blinder.
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