As reported by Football Insider, Arsenal regard RB Salzburg midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai as a genuine contender to replace want-away midfielder Granit Xhaka. The 19-year-old has been linked with the Gunners in the past and with the club likely to cash in on their Swiss midfielder this January, it could release the funds for Unai Emery’s side to finally make their move for the Hungarian.
But, what do the fans think about a potential move for the highly-rated youngster?
This kid got talent ?, hope we sign him
— adrian_wanjihia (@wanjihia_adrian) November 22, 2019
Yes pls
Dude could be a monster
— Shmurda (@TheGFromHungary) November 22, 2019
The kid is gonna be a baller. We need to get him
— Home Stake (@Homestake1) November 22, 2019
Baller
— XR_7? (@xspine) November 22, 2019
Hopefully ?
— Arsenal Rants (@Arsenalrants25) November 22, 2019
Very good player
— Something sweet (@Coollio_Baller) November 22, 2019
What do we think?
Szoboszlai, who is valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, is a highly talented young player but he has spent most of his career operating on the left-hand side and occasionally played as a central attacking midfielder. He certainly wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Xhaka who is usually deployed as the deepest-lying midfield player in Unai Emery’s team. The Hungarian international has managed two goals and three assists in ten appearances so far this season.
Although not a direct replacement as previously stated, we could see Arsenal forced into dipping into the transfer market this winter given they look set to potentially lose one or two players. The club certainly wouldn’t have wanted to have to open the cheque book again before the summer but football is extremely unpredictable and it would be hard not think anybody could have envisaged Xhaka wanting out so soon after being named the club’s captain.