Few players have been more heavily linked with a move in the next transfer window than Dominik Szoboszlai and when the market opens on January 2, his future is expected to be swiftly resolved.
Among the most promising, coveted and talked-about young talents in world football, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder is tipped to leave Red Bull Salzburg after two-and-a-half years with the Austrian side.
Reports have asserted that Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig are leading the race, with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur also claimed to be in the frame.
Szoboszlai is being considered by Arsenal as they look to enhance their creativity and goalscoring capabilities, but he is one of several options and it remains to be seen if they will enter the battle.
His Salzburg contract, which expires in 2022, includes a €25 million release clause and although that is enticingly low, The Athletic has learned of some details which might not make it achievable for all interested parties.
Contrary to suggestions that the fee can be financed by way of instalments, it is actually understood to require full payment in one go and within two weeks of the clause being triggered.
There is then thought to be a 20 per cent sell-on mechanism which, unusually, applies to the entire fee of a future transfer and not just the profit. So, for example, if he arrives for €25 million and leaves for €100 million, Salzburg get 20 per cent of €100 million rather than 20 per cent of the €75 million difference.
While that may not be ideal in the eyes of Szoboszlai’s admirers, most will view it as a minor inconvenience for a player of such quality, who comes relatively cheap and has high resale value.
The reason it is anticipated the situation will develop rapidly is, according to sources, a stipulation that Szoboszlai must give notice by December 15 of his wish to depart Salzburg and that bids must be lodged by December 31. It is unclear if the Hungary international has expressed this desire or if offers have been received.
In the unforeseen event of Szoboszlai still being at Salzburg in the summer, the same arrangement is believed to kick in again, with notice having to be given by June 30 and bids lodged by July 15.
Szoboszlai joined Salzburg from Liefering in January 2018 and has scored 25 goals in 79 appearances, including four goals (as well as five assists) in 10 Bundesliga games this season.
Competing in the Champions League has propelled him into the wider consciousness and on Wednesday, there will be no shortage of focus on the playmaker when Salzburg host Atletico Madrid in their final match of the group stage knowing victory will seal a place in the last 16.