Newcastle accelerating move for attacking star as UCL berth can plunge Liverpool into second

Newcastle United have reportedly sent scouts to watch Dominik Szoboszlai twice, and their Champions League berth could put them ahead of Liverpool for the snare.

Newcastle’s team is likely to change somewhat, after they secured Champions League football for next season. That in itself was a historic achievement for the Magpies.

Not since the 2002/03 season have they played in Europe’s elite competition.

It’s even more of an impressive feat considering Newcastle finished 11th last season and 14th the season prior. Of course, they’ve been buoyed by their takeover by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Since the takeover, the club have bought 12 players, some of which have come from well-established European clubs – Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid, Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon and Sven Botman from Lille, for example.

Given the quality and European experience some of those players, the Magpies have a good starting point in Europe. However, they’ll want to add more options to ensure they can be competitive.

A number of big names have been linked with the side of late. James Maddison has been linked for some time, and has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has also been linked with the Magpies, and he’s been performing at the top end of Serie A for years.

Newcastle accelerate move for Szoboszlai

A move for RB Leipzig star Szoboszlai could be on the cards, too. Indeed, Sky Sports have reported Newcastle are taking steps which could lead to the transfer.

“We fully expect it to be a really busy summer transfer window for Newcastle following their Champions League qualification,” they said.

“We understand their scouts have watched the RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai twice in the last fortnight.”

A couple of scouting trips would suggest Newcastle like what they see in the attacking-midfielder, who is also competent playing on either wing, where he’s mainly been deployed this season.

Szoboszlai has had a fantastic season, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in the Bundesliga.

His European credentials will be attractive to the Magpies – he’s scored once and assisted twice in the Champions League this season, and has never failed to score in a campaign in the elite competition.

Newcastle should also be more than happy with what they’ve seen on their scouting trips. Szoboszlai has scored in both of his last two games, in wins against Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich.

UCL can help Magpies overcome Liverpool

Recent reports have suggested Liverpool are leading the race for the star. He’s apparently top of the Reds’ wishlist and is ‘ready to make the switch to Merseyside’.

However, that Jurgen Klopp’s have not secured Champions League football could change things. Szoboszlai might not want to step down to the Europa League.

As such, that Newcastle have secured their place in the Champions League for next season could plunge the Reds into second and give Eddie Howe’s side a great chance of completing the snare.

READ MORE: Newcastle go big with UCL qualification to unlock £110m triple raid on Man Utd, Arsenal and Leicester