The next 24 hours could prove crucial when it comes to the future of RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai.
As revealed by Fabrizio Romano, the Hungarian has a £61m release clause in his contract that is due to expire on June 30th.
When the clock strikes midnight on Friday night, that buyout option will no longer be valid, meaning Newcastle will have to negotiate a fee with RB Leipzig if they wish to bring the 22-year-old to St James’ Park.
Some report that we are unwilling to pay £61m, saying that sort of money is out of our price range, but the Bundesliga side are unlikely to negotiate any cut-price deal. Not only have they banked over £50m for Christopher Nkunku – who joined Chelsea last week – they are in talks to sell £80m-rated defender Josko Gvardiol to Man City.
They looks set to bank over £130m from both deals and have also lost key player Konrad Laimer to Bayern Munich. They’ll be in no rush to sell another star man and won’t be short on money, suggesting Szoboszlai’s £61m buyout clause may be our best route to signing the Hungary captain.
We had leverage over Leicester when it came to James Maddison – a relegated player with 12 months left on his contract. Szoboszlai may be flirting with a move away, but rival interest from Liverpool and Leipzig’s strong negotiating position could make this a tough deal to do if we don’t act tomorrow.
