Arsenal have hatched a plan to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from Red Bull Salzburg and, according to The Mirror, it involves paying his £23 million release clause over three years.
The Gunners may have splashed out some sizeable transfer fees in the past year or so but, if you look closer, there’s some clever jiggery pokery going on as the London giants look to balance their recruitment strategy with a delicate financial situation.
Arsenal may have signed Nicolas Pepe for a club-record £72 million in 2019 but, according to The Sun, they paid only £20 million up front.
The other £52 million will be spread out across the Ivorian’s five-year contract.
And, if Szoboszlai joins Pepe in the English capital this winter, it seems a deal for the Hungarian wonderkid would be structured in a similar way.
The Mirror reports Arsenal hope to come to an agreement with Salzburg that would see them split Szoboszlai’s £23 million release clause into three annual instalments.
With the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Dortmund, Tottenham, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers also linked, via 90Min, it remains to be seen whether Salzburg will play ball.
If Arsenal are unwilling or unable to pay £23 million up front, the Austrian champions are likely to find another club that will.
Szoboszlai, who has been compared to Chelsea’s Kai Havertz by German legend Lothar Matthaus, was named Austrian Bundesliga player of the year last term after producing 18 assists and 12 largely spectacular goals from central midfield.
And, speaking to Futbol, Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch admitted he expects offers to arrive in January for his prized asset.
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