Arsenal will not be able to pay Dominik Szoboszlai’s transfer fee in instalments, with the Athletic reporting that the £23 million release clause in his Red Bull Salzburg contract must be paid in one lump sum.
As you might have noticed, it is 18 days until a rotund, heavily bearded individual attempts to force his way into your home – and we do mean Father Christmas, as sinister as that statement may sound.
According to the Athletic, it is just eight days until one of Europe’s most highly-rated midfielders has to make a decision that could come to define his career.
Salzburg understand that Szoboszlai’s long-term future lies away from the Austrian Bundesliga champions and, while a departure feels inevitable in 2021, it is unclear whether he will be packing his bags in January or July.
The report claims that, if he wants to leave in the winter, Szoboszlai must give notice to Salzburg before December 15 amid interest from (deep breath) Arsenal, Liverpool, Wolves, Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham (90Min).
The Mirror suggested that Arsenal were planning to take the Nicolas Pepe route and pay Szoboszlai’s price-tag in instalments.
Salzburg are having none of that, however, and want £23 million up front, in one lump sum.
The taurine-powered outfit are also demanding a 20 per cent sell-on clause.
The ball, then, is in Arsenal’s court.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur once again shone the harshest of lights on the complete lack of creativity in Mikel Arteta’s insomnia-inducing front line.
A player like Szoboszlai, a bona fide set-piece master with eight goals and nine assists in 18 matches this season, would be priceless at the Emirates.
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