Dominik Szoboszlai has seen rumours of a move to Real Madrid begin to rumble after delivering an excellent season with Liverpool so far.
The Hungarian has arguably been the Reds’ best player this term, certainly their most consistent, and is angling for a new bumper contract.
Claims from Hungary have suggested that Szoboszlai would be looking to take home £300k-per-week, which would make an extension unlikely, while his national team manager Marco Rossi has also made some particularly unhelpful public comments.
You’re Richard Hughes, how are you responding when Real Madrid call to ask about Szoboszlai?
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Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates in front of the Kop after scoring in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round match against Brighton at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside
Rossi claimed that Szoboszlai has always dreamed of playing for Real Madrid, with pressure beginning to ramp up on Liverpool.
Inadvertently, Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr may have now added to the furore after admitting that he and Szoboszlai are actually surprisingly close friends.
Vinicius Jr and Dominik Szoboszlai are long-time friends
There would be no reason to believe that Vinicius and Szoboszlai are close. The former is a Brazilian who went straight from his homeland to the bright lights of Real Madrid, the latter a Hungarian who went from Austria to Germany and then Liverpool.
Nevertheless, when asked by YouTuber Ibai if he has any friends in football away from Real Madrid, Vinicius surprisingly mentioned Szoboszlai.
Vinicius Junior challenges Dominik Szoboszlai for the ball during Liverpool vs Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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“I talk a lot with Szoboszlai,” said the 25-year-old. “We met when we were younger.
“[Lucas] Paqueta is my best friend in football. Raphinha in Barcelona, Savinho, Reinier in Brazil who’s played here too. We Brazilians are almost always together off the field but from other teams who aren’t Brazilian, Reece James, I’m very good friends with him. Rafael Leao, I have quite a few friends outside.”
Set to launch a new line of boots with Nike, Vinicius admitted that Szoboszlai has even messaged him about getting a pair.
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“A lot of players have messaged me to play in them!” he smiled. “Paqueta at Flamengo, Szoboszlai of Liverpool has also asked me.”
Vinicius is not Szoboszlai’s only friend at Real Madrid
So far, there is no legitimate reason to believe that Szoboszlai could be heading to Real Madrid.
The Spanish side have not been named as an interested party, and for the time being Liverpool are still in a strong position to keep the midfielder. But there is a certain need to get his new deal done as quickly as possible.
The longer it drags on, the more encouragement the likes of Madrid will be given, and with Vinicius and Szoboszlai seemingly messaging on a regular basis, it is not a huge jump to say that the Brazil international will be trying to convince him of a move to Spain.
And Vinicius is not the only good friend Szoboszlai has at Santiago Bernabeu. The Hungary captain struck up a good understanding with Trent Alexander-Arnold during their two years at Liverpool together as well.
On the surface this does not mean anything, but Liverpool must get that contract sorted as quickly as possible regardless.
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