Dominik Szoboszlai chose RB Leipzig over the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur because of the ‘clear plan’ put forward by the Bundesliga giants, CEO Oliver Mintzlaff tells Sport BILD.
If you’re a young player looking to take the next step on the road to the very top of European football, where better than Leipzig?
Red Bull really does give you wings, after all.
And, in Julian Nagelsmann, the 2020 Champions League semi-finalists have a coach who specialises in fulfilling potential, as emphasised by the staggering improvements made by Marcel Sabitzer, Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and, of course, Timo Werner, during his time at the helm.
Szoboszlai, who joined last month in a £22.5 million deal from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, is about as typical a Leipzig signing as you could expect to find; young, super-talented and blessed with a commendable work-ethic.
The Hungary international was also a target for Premier League clubs such as Everton, Wolves, Liverpool and Spurs but, as soon as the Bundesliga giants entered the race, there was only one winner (90Min).
“Domi chose us because we fought for him very long and hard,” Mintzlaff says of the 2020 Austrian Bundesliga winner, who produced nine goals and 11 assists in the first half of this season.
“We were able to show him a clear plan that we have with him. Our philosophy of relying on young, talented players, coupled with the bigger league, sporting ambitions and a coach who has other facets, convinced him of RB Leipzig.”
According to 90Min, Szoboszlai turned down the chance to join Arsenal in December due to fears over their direction.
At the time, The Gunners were sliding down the table at an alarming rate, closer to the relegation zone than they were to the European places.
The report adds, however, that Leipzig have included a release-clause in Szoboszlai’s contract.
This is a club who embrace their ‘stepping stone’ status. They will not stand in Szoboszlai’s way if Liverpool, Tottenham and co come knocking again in the future.
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