While many teams were interested in signing Dominik Szoboszlai in the summer, most were put off by having to pay so much up front for the midfielder before Liverpool decided to trigger his release clause.
That is according to a report from The Athletic, which notes that the Reds turned their attention to the Hungarian after deciding that they were not prepared to match Manchester United’s offer for Mason Mount.
Dominik Szoboszlai has proved to be one of the signings of the summer. There did not appear to be a huge amount of fanfare when his move to Anfield was announced. But everyone is definitely raving about Szoboszlai now.
Clubs put off by Dominik Szoboszlai price before Liverpool move
Szoboszlai is certainly in the conversation to be considered the best player in the Premier League so far this season. With that, Liverpool can pat themselves on the back for taking a gamble that no-one else was willing to take.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool agreed to pay £60.1 million for Szoboszlai one day before his release clause expired. The midfielder is earning around £120,000-a-week on Merseyside. By comparison, Mason Mount could earn more than £250,000-a-week at Manchester United.
Liverpool fans must be wondering why Szoboszlai was still available at that price following his outstanding start to the campaign.
The Athletic reports that a number of teams also wanted Szoboszlai. However, many were put off by paying so much up front for the youngster.
Blessing in disguise
It is remarkable to think that Liverpool’s top midfield targets for the summer were Alexis Mac Allister and Mount. And thus, Mount moving elsewhere now feels like a blessing in disguise.
He has really not hit the ground running at Old Trafford. Szoboszlai meanwhile, could have hardly made a better start to life at Liverpool.
He looks to have the potential to be a superstar. Speaking to ESPN, Steve Nicol said Szoboszlai is looking ‘scary’. And given his age, there is no reason why he cannot be a stalwart of the Liverpool side for the next decade.
Given where transfer fees are going, it is fair to say that spending £60 million is looking set to be looked back upon as a masterstroke.