Arsenal look set to miss out on Hungarian youngster Dominik Szoboszlai who seems destined for a move to Serie A.
The RB Salzburg midfielder was recently linked with a move to Arsenal but it seems as if the Gunners’ name is just being used to beef up the number of clubs interested in him.
Although the story popped up in the Spanish publication AS claiming Arsenal were among several clubs interested in the midfielder, reports in Italy fail to mention the Gunners at all.
They do, however, quote his agent, Matyas Esterhazy, as saying, “Would he like to play in Italy? At some point in his career, every player wants to have an experience in a top league and obviously, Serie A is one of the most important. But we know that it is a long way and that there is so much work to do.
“My relations with Juventus are not related to Szoboszlai for now. Everyone knows his qualities, but it is useless to comment on the rumors at this stage of his career. He has a lot to do in Salzburg.”
This is important because one of the other clubs linked heavily with a move for the 18-year-old is Juventus.
Arsenal, most likely, are interested in the player. He’s young, talented and would be relatively affordable. But that means little these days. Arsenal’s pulling power is not what it used to be and they don’t have the cash to throw at players to make up for the gap in quality.
Despite his age, Szoboszlai already has a good physical presence, standing at around 6’1″. He’s been extremely effective in front of goal with Salzburg’s feeder club FC Liefering as well, scoring six goals and providing four assists in just nine games. His form earned him a Salzburg call up in the ÖFB-Cup, where he scored another goal and assist.
Since then, Szoboszlai’s started to get chances in Salzburg’s Austrian Bundesliga matches, making four substitute appearances towards the end of the year.
We’ll see how he continues to progress in the remaining months of the season but a move to Arsenal would seem unlikely for as long as Juventus are seriously interested.