Real Madrid and Man City ready to sign Liverpool star

Liverpool's rivals have entered the race for Dominik Szoboszlai.

Richard Hughes has arrived at Liverpool with a lot of important decisions needed to make. Chiefly among them has been the need to build a core group of players who can lead the club for the next five to ten years.

Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are part of the leadership group now but their contracts expire in less than two years. Andy Robertson has less than a year left on his contract.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could have been part of this leadership group but he decided his future was elsewhere.

Looking around the team right now, Szoboszlai is a natural candidate to be a captain when Van Dijk decides to move on. He's been Liverpool's best player by far so far this season, and he's someone with a lot of experience as a captain already, having led his country since he was 21-years-old.

Naturally, Liverpool are keen for him to stay, which is why contract negotiations have already begun with the Hungarian. He's on a deal until 2028. He signed this contract when he joined the club in the summer of 2023.

This deal sees Szoboszlai roughly earning a base income of £120k. That is actually quite below the average. For comparison, Cody Gakpo earns £250k a week. Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are on £200k a week and Alexander Isak earns £280k per week.

Liverpool would like to extend Szoboszlai's contract until 2030 or 2031. However, Hungarian outlet Hir TV reports that right now the parties are far away from an agreement.

The Reds' offer does not meet the expectations that a player of his status should earn in comparison not only to his teammates but also to what other players earn at other clubs.

The report claims that one of the reasons why Liverpool want to tie him down is because they are afraid of losing the Hungarian. According to the outlet reports of interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid 'are not unfounded.'

The Spanish giants in particular have long been admirers of Szoboszlai and even tried to sign him back in 2020, while he was still at Red Bull Salzburg.

Now, it looks like Real and City are waiting on the wings ready to strike depending on how his negotiations go with Liverpool.

Obviously, it's important to take this report with a pinch of salt.

What is clear is that, in order for the Reds to tie him down, they need to pay him adequately. This is likely going to be the biggest contract Szoboszlai signs in his career.

If the length is until 2030 or 2031, that will keep him at the club until he is in his thirties. Players tend to earn less after they turn 30-years-old.

So, understandably, Szoboszlai should receive a fee that will reflect his status at the club in the coming years, especially as he is expected to take on a leadership role.

🔴 Shop the LFC 2025/26 adidas home range

👉🏻 Liverpool have a NEW right-back and he's the best in the world

👉🏻 Marc Guehi is COMING: Liverpool will agree deal to sign England star

👉🏻 Liverpool legend's son is now an elite centre-back