Charles Watts, the Arsenal correspondent for Goal, has been discussing the club’s reported interest in the RB Salzburg star Dominik Szoboszlai during a recent YouTube video.
Following the Gunners’ recent defeat in the north London derby, a game in which Mikel Arteta’s side had 70% of the possession but were limited to just two shots on target (as per BBC Sport), you could be forgiven for questioning whether or not the team have enough creativity in the final third.
Szoboszlai, who has been linked with a Gunners switch, has already managed six assists and four goals in his first 10 Austrian Bundesliga appearances this season (as per Transfermarkt) and therefore, in theory, could provide a solution to Arsenal’s creative issue.
The journalist provided an update on the 20-year-old’s situation and warned the north London-based club would have to get moving if they are to secure the player’s services in the upcoming January transfer window. Here is what Watts had to say:
“They could make a move for Szoboszlai, who’s got his €25m release clause.
“Arsenal are interested, but so are plenty of other clubs – not surprisingly because of what he’s shown this year in the [Austrian] Bundesliga and in the Champions League.
“It’s a very complicated clause and if you are going to activate it, then you basically have to start acting now and notifying Salzburg now. It will be very interesting to see what the next week brings in terms of Szoboszlai and his future and whether Arsenal are serious in making the move to get him in January – or if other clubs are going to jump in ahead of them and get that deal done for what is a very special-looking talent, and the exact sort of player that Arsenal need.”
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TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments regarding Dominik Szoboszlai’s release clause…
Recently, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed the details of the aforementioned release clause, making it clear what Arsenal would need to do if they wish to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium next month.
The Hungarian, who scored the goal that booked his nation’s place at the upcoming European Championships last month is already making a strong impression in the UEFA Champions League despite his young age.
According to WhoScored, across his five appearances in the competition this season, his average performance rating stands at a solid 7.1/10 and he’s netted twice in the fixtures versus Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico Madrid (as per Transfermarkt).
All of the above, in our view, suggests that the player has a very bright future ahead of him but it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will win the race for his signature.