While Cristiano Ronaldo took his usual place in the spotlight during Portugal’s Euro 2020 victory over Hungary last night, the fact the reigning champions required a late rally to seal the win spoke volumes about the performance of 23-year-old centre-half and reported West Ham target Attila Szalai.
It Szalai felt any nerves as he prepared to do battle with arguably the greatest number nine in world football – on his home turf of Budapest no less – he certainly didn’t show it.
Then again, Fenerbahce’s rising star is used to taking things in his stride.
Just six months after arriving in the Turkish capital from Apollon Limassol in a deal worth about £700,000, Szalai is already being linked with a mega-money move to the Premier League.
Blikk reports that Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leicester City are all weighing up a potential £23 million move for the 6ft 4in stopper.
West Ham send scouts to watch Szalai
West Ham, meanwhile, sent scouts to watch Szalai in action against Portugal and it’s hard to imagine they’d have been disappointed by what they saw from a truly modern centre-back.
Szalai is just as comfortable starting attacks with a 60-yard diagonal pass as he is blocking a goal-bound effort at the other end.
Szalai showed both sides of his game against Portugal, keeping Ronaldo and co at bay for 82 minutes while showcasing an impressive passing range with his trusty left boot.
Fernando Santos’s side may have scored not once, not twice but three times late on to break Hungary’s brave resistance, but Szalai still emerged from his first tournament fixture with his reputation enhanced.
Here’s what some fans on Twitter had to say about his performance:
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