Liverpool losing players to Real Madrid has become a lot more common than many Reds fans would like, just ask Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The world-class defender opted to run down his contract with his boyhood club to seal a move to Spain in 2025. That move didn’t go down too well with the fan base at Anfield.
Ibrahima Konate has long been linked with making the exact same transfer when his deal expires this summer. But it’s not the Frenchman sending hints in Los Blancos’ direction.
Dominik Szoboszlai ‘dreams’ of Real Madrid transfer
Instead, it’s Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai who is being linked with the Spanish giants. His international manager, Marco Rossi, revealed last week that the Liverpool star ‘dreams’ of pulling on the Real Madrid shirt.
“Due to the very close and direct relationship I have had with Dominik Szoboszlai since he started playing football as a child, Real Madrid has always been his dream,” Rossi told Marca.
Those comments didn’t go down too well with Liverpool supporters, who are now fed up of losing their players to the same club.
Liverpool risk another contract saga
Another thing the Anfield faithful have become disillusioned with in recent years is the handling of big stars’ contracts.
Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were all allowed into the final 12 months of their terms. It sparked long-running speculation over their futures.
With Rossi’s comments and Szoboszlai’s admission that contract talks are out of his hands, it’s looking increasingly likely the 26-year-old could be heading the same way.
Liverpool’s highest-paid players this season:
| Rank | Player | Weekly Wage | Annual Salary | Contract Expiry |
| 1 | Mohamed Salah | £400,000 | £20,800,000 | June 2027 |
| 2 | Virgil van Dijk | £350,000 | £18,200,000 | June 2027 |
| 3 | Alexander Isak | £300,000 | £15,600,000 | June 2031 |
| 4 | Cody Gakpo | £250,000 | £13,000,000 | June 2030 |
| 5 | Hugo Ekitiké | £200,000 | £10,400,000 | June 2031 |
| 6 | Florian Wirtz | £200,000 | £10,400,000 | June 2030 |
| 7 | Andrew Robertson | £160,000 | £8,320,000 | June 2026 |
| 8 | Alisson Becker | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | June 2027 |
| 9 | Ryan Gravenberch | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | June 2028 |
| 10 | Alexis Mac Allister | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | June 2027 |
| 11 | Federico Chiesa | £150,000 | £7,800,000 | June 2028 |
| 12 | Dominik Szoboszlai | £120,000 | £6,240,000 | June 2028 |
Per ESPN, he said in February: “Let’s see what happens, hopefully everyone will be happy at the end. Of course [I want to stay].
“I like the city, I like the club, I like playing with these guys, I love Anfield, I love the fans, let’s see what the future holds. It is not on me. I would love to [stay]. We will see.”
He’ll have two years remaining on his current deal at the end of the season. Liverpool will ideally get fresh terms sorted in the next 12-18 months.
Szoboszlai’s agent speaks out on Real Madrid links
Following the Hungary manager’s recent claim, Szoboszlai’s agent has moved to quash any transfer talk surrounding his client. Matyas Esterhazy told NB1 that the player’s full focus is on the remainder of the season at Anfield.
“It’s completely normal for the public, when Dominik is performing like this, to talk about what’s next and if there’s something higher.
“For us it’s not a topic. We are mid-season; he has a lot of work ahead of him in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. He has said many times how important this competition is for him.”
Esterhazy added: “At the moment to talk about what will happen in the summer in my opinion is not correct.
“Not to mention, Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and Dominik is in a position within the team that has a lot of reserve, so we are not looking outside or elsewhere.”
Vinicius Jr talks to Reds star ‘a lot’
Speculation wasn’t helped last week when Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr revealed he often talks with Szoboszlai.
The Brazil international claimed in an interview with YouTuber Ibai: “I talk a lot with Szoboszlai. We met when we were younger. [Lucas] Paqueta is my best friend in football. Raphinha in Barcelona, Savinho, and Reinier in Brazil, who’s played here too.”
Szoboszlai is also known to be a very close friend of Alexander-Arnold. This will spark fears that a conversation about a potential transfer will have come up.
