Dominik Soboslai has caught the attention of Premier League clubs after his impressive run in the Bundesliga. Credit: Getty Images/Odd Andersen
Liverpool are pushing ahead with a deal for RB Leipzig midfielder Dominic Soboslai after he agreed to pay a £60m exit clause before it expires on Friday.
Only payment terms, personal terms and honey interfere. Newcastle United were also interested because they are looking for an alternative to James Maddison, who signed for Tottenham Hotspur in the middle of the week, having previously spoken to secret insiders, but it is understood that they have given up the pursuit.
Liverpool had already been in talks with Soboslai's representatives but initially downplayed the extent of their interest given the overall cost. Circumstances changed, however, when Klopp and his recruiting team looked into the transfer market. The manager's desire to have another attacking midfielder has been well documented.
Liverpool were well aware of the June 30 Soboslay deadline and knew it would be wiser to move sooner rather than later. Liverpool have a long and respectful relationship with Leipzig, who have signed midfielder Fabio Carvalho on loan for the season, and Liverpool are pushing to save his Anfield career rather than end it.
Klopp still sees the 20-year-old as part of long-term planning and hopes a year in the Bundesliga where he can expect more playing time will see him return to Merseyside refreshed in 2024. That is why Klopp refused to sanction a permanent move for the attacking midfielder, who signed from Fulham last summer for £10m.
Telegraph Sport analysis Carvalho could return to RB Leipzig
Carvalho has had some encouraging moments — most notably a last-minute winner against Newcastle at Anfield last August — but his debut season proved difficult because he joined Liverpool during a transition period that turned out to be more difficult than expected.
Despite his league experience with Fulham, in hindsight Carvalho was introduced to the senior side too early, often physically struggling with higher level demands. He was not helped by the wider labors of the team. Signing a contract amid a quadruple challenge in 2022 and expecting a smooth move to Klopp's squad, it quickly became apparent just how much worse Liverpool had deteriorated at the start of last season.
Klopp's plans changed over the course of the year: fundamental changes were needed to restore Liverpool as a top four team to drop out of the Champions League, let alone one capable of approaching Manchester City. With Klopp eyeing a stronger midfield this summer, Carvalho's short-term options should have been more limited in the upcoming season. Leipzig is a logical choice as a destination.
First, they tried to sign Carvalho from Fulham before Liverpool lashed out and continued to show interest in the youngster, noting how little playing time he was getting at the end of last season.
Secondly, Leipzig is coached by the former manager of Borussia Dortmund and RB Salzburg Marco Rose, so the basic football principles will not differ from those of Klopp.
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