Salzburg's Szoboszlai: Milan not my only option

Dominik Szoboszlai has been heavily linked with a move to Milan, but the German Bundesliga and Premier League also interest the Salzburg midfielder.

Dominik Szoboszlai (L) looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo as a youngster but feels his playing style is more akin to that of Toni Kroos or Paul Pogba.

Milan is reportedly leading the race to sign Dominik Szoboszlai, but the Salzburg midfielder insists he has other options available.

Hungary international Szoboszlai is expected to follow in the footsteps of Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino and leave Salzburg in the near future.

Inter, Lazio, Arsenal and Leicester City have all been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old, though it is Milan which is said to be in pole position to secure his signature for a fee in the region of €30million.

Szoboszlai has scored four goals and supplied as many assists in 29 appearances for Salzburg in 2019-20.

Asked whether he could see himself playing at Milan or in Serie A in general, Szoboszlai told Stats Perform : "I can't say anything about that. If it is going to happen, then so be it. In the end it is my decision.

"But I have more than just one opportunity. In the end I am going to choose the best one for me.

"I really like Serie A, but the Premier League or the German Bundesliga are also very good."

Szoboszlai looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo as a youngster but feels his playing style is more akin to that of Toni Kroos or Paul Pogba.

"Cristiano Ronaldo was my role model while I was young," he said.

"I have been watching him becoming the best player in the world. I am also still watching him and his work today.

"But if I had to name a player who has a similar way to play football like me, I would name Pogba or Kroos."

-Minamino to Liverpool 'the best possible decision'-

Moving to Liverpool was "the best possible decision" for Takumi Minamino, according to his former Salzburg teammate Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool activated Minamino's surprisingly low £7.25million release clause in December, tying him down to a four-and-a-half-year contract on Merseyside.

The Japan international was an important part of Salzburg's impressive start to 2019-20, scoring one and assisting another at Anfield as it came from 3-0 down to draw level with Liverpool in an October Champions League clash it ended up losing 4-3.

Minamino has made seven appearances since joining Jurgen Klopp's team, only completing the 90 minutes on one occasion.

Szoboszlai has no doubt Minamino made the right choice to head to Liverpool and leave Salzburg after five years.

"I think he took the best possible decision because he is already 25 years old. Maybe this was the last time for him to get such a big chance," Szoboszlai said.

"I would have made the same choice if I was in his position. His last year was absolutely amazing and he also performed well against Liverpool.

"It was only a matter of time for him to get such a chance. They offered him this chance, and he took it.

"I hope that he will stay safe and that he will be able to play and show his talent."