Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Kieran Horn

Arsenal and Chelsea get major midfield transfer boost as shock £60m Liverpool move agreed

Arsenal and Chelsea could be aided in the summer transfer window by Liverpool's unexpected move for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai. The deadline in his contract for a €70million (£60.1m) release clause being triggered was June 30 and with a major midfield rebuild needing to take place at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp sanctioned the move with hours to spare.

In the hours following this decision, Szoboszlai was informed his release clause had been activated with medical tests being scheduled after personal terms had already been agreed. The Reds aren't the only team looking to complete a mini rebuild in the middle of the park with Arsenal and Chelsea also hoping to seal several moves in that position this summer.

Alexis Mac Allister has already been signed by Liverpool and Szoboszlai joining will make it another midfield addition. The Gunners, meanwhile, are in a similar position with one player already through the door in Kai Havertz and another in Declan Rice expected to follow shortly, as negotiations with West Ham over the £105million deal could be finalised by Monday.

As for Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all had their departures confirmed with a fee also agreed for Mason Mount's move to Manchester United. Once that outgoing is sealed, signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton is the main aim, but at the very least one addition is needed with so many exits already being sanctioned.

Southampton star Romeo Lavia is on the shortlist of all three, but that transfer saga could end closer to the summer deadline. Gabri Veiga is another name liked by the trio, but Liverpool's decision to move for Szoboszlai could take them out of the race and thus give Chelsea and Arsenal a huge transfer boost.

The Celta Vigo attacking midfielder has a release clause in his contract which stands at €40million (£34.4m) and several European clubs have taken an interest. A final day brace against Barcelona to virtually keep Celta in La Liga was undoubtedly attractive to potential suitors with Newcastle and Manchester City the latest duo to join the summer battle.

READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice agreement, Windfall secured, £40m Timber deal

According to the Evening Standard, Veiga is the Blues' top target to replace Mount at Stamford Bridge. It has also been widely reported that a bid is being prepared to try and acquire his services with Chelsea likely looking to strike a repeat of their deal for Nicolas Jackson whereby a sum just above his release clause is paid through instalments.

Arsenal's primary focus is on finalising the transfer of Rice, with attention then expected to turns towards Jurrien Timber. If both of those deals are completed and exits for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are given the green light, the Gunners entering the market for another midfielder is a likely outcome.

Veiga potentially still being available when that decision is made could make him an attractive option for Mikel Arteta given he is just 21 and his technical quality is at a very high level.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.