How AC Milan Missed Out on Dominik Szoboszlai Before Liverpool Move

‘Everything Was Agreed’: Milan’s Near-Miss With Szoboszlai Before Liverpool Transfer

Football is a game of fine margins. For every headline-grabbing signing, there’s usually a story in the background about the deal that almost happened. And according to former AC Milan Chief Football Officer Zvonimir Boban, one of those missed opportunities involved none other than Liverpool’s midfield dynamo, Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Hungarian star has quickly become a key figure at Anfield since arriving in a £60 million deal from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023. But rewind a few years and things could have taken a very different turn — with Szoboszlai wearing red and black instead of red and white.

Milan Were On the Brink of Signing Szoboszlai

Milan Were On the Brink of Signing Szoboszlai

Speaking to Calciomercato, Boban revealed that Milan had a deal in place to sign Szoboszlai from Red Bull Salzburg before his move to Leipzig.

“We could have also taken Szoboszlai, everything was agreed: €20m of the clause with Salzburg,” Boban said, making no secret of the club’s frustration at seeing the move fall through.

At the time, Szoboszlai was one of the brightest young talents in European football. He was lighting up the Austrian Bundesliga with his dynamic movement, pinpoint passing, and ability to strike from distance — attributes that would later become trademarks of his game in Germany and now in England.

For Milan, who were just beginning to re-establish themselves among Italy’s elite after years in the wilderness, signing a player like Szoboszlai for €20 million would have been a coup. Instead, the Rossoneri missed out, and he eventually made the switch to RB Leipzig in 2021 — a step that would catapult him further into the European spotlight.

The One That Got Away

It’s easy to look back and play the “what if” game in football, but this one clearly stings. Not just for the player Milan missed, but for what he has since become. Szoboszlai, still only 23, has blossomed into one of the most complete midfielders in Europe.

He helped Leipzig win back-to-back DFB Pokal titles and proved he could compete at the highest level, including in the Champions League. His performances for club and country drew attention from Europe’s biggest sides, and Liverpool eventually made their move last summer, activating his £60 million release clause.

That fee — three times what Milan would have paid — was a reflection of both his growth and the inflationary nature of the modern transfer market. But it also served as a reminder of what could have been a shrewd piece of business for Milan, had things gone just a little differently.

Premier League Power and Financial Muscle

szoboszlai

Boban’s admission also touches on a broader reality that Italian clubs have been wrestling with for years: the financial gap between Serie A and the Premier League.

Milan, one of the most storied clubs in football history, still operate on a tighter budget compared to mid-table English sides. While €20 million may have seemed like a calculated gamble back then, today it would be seen as a bargain. And that’s the challenge — spotting talent before the prices spiral out of reach.

For Milan, who continue to build a squad around young, promising players like Rafael Leão and Tijjani Reijnders, a player like Szoboszlai could have slotted in perfectly. Instead, it’s Liverpool reaping the benefits.

Szoboszlai’s Role at Liverpool and What Comes Next

Since joining Liverpool, Szoboszlai has adapted quickly to Jürgen Klopp’s high-intensity system. He brings a technical quality that complements the pressing and pace of the Merseyside outfit. His engine is relentless, his passing range is vast, and his ability to glide past opponents makes him a constant threat in the final third.

Although his early Liverpool form dipped slightly after the turn of the year, it’s clear Klopp sees him as a cornerstone of the club’s next generation — especially as the team transitions from the Jordan Henderson–James Milner era to something more youthful and dynamic.

Looking ahead, the Hungarian international could be in action when Liverpool travel to Brighton next Monday night. With the Premier League title race heating up, every game is critical, and Szoboszlai’s ability to turn defence into attack in a matter of seconds could be key.

Milan’s Transfer Strategy — A Miss, But Not a Failure

It would be unfair to paint Milan’s recruitment in a negative light based on one missed signing. Under the stewardship of Paolo Maldini (until recently) and Boban, the club has made a number of excellent acquisitions, including Theo Hernández, Mike Maignan, and Fikayo Tomori — all of whom have become integral parts of the squad.

But it does go to show how thin the margins are when it comes to building a top team. A move falls through, a rival steps in, and suddenly you’re watching your target lift trophies elsewhere.

Szoboszlai is just one of those players. But his story serves as a reminder: in the transfer market, hesitation — even momentary — can cost you dearly.

Final Thought: What Might Have Been

Dominik Szoboszlai in a Milan shirt? It’s a tantalising image for Rossoneri fans. A midfield trio of Tonali (before his departure), Bennacer, and Szoboszlai could have formed a powerful axis in Serie A and Europe. But instead, the Hungarian took a different path — one that led through Leipzig and now finds him at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield renaissance.

As Boban revealed, “everything was agreed.” But in football, as in life, nothing is guaranteed until the contract is signed and the ink is dry.

And so Milan must move on, wondering just how different things might have looked if that €20 million gamble had paid off.