In recent years, European football’s Red Bull-branded clubs have earned something of a reputation for unearthing rising stars.
Sadio Mane, Erling Braut Haaland and Joshua Kimmich are just three players whose journey to the top featured a spell at one of the teams owned by the energy drink manufacturer.
And Dominik Szoboszlai is the latest talented youngster who is hoping to follow that well-worn path to success.
Here, we take a look at the RB Salzburg starlet who is attracting attention from several top clubs.
Career to date
Born in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, Szoboszlai’s first steps in football came with the youth team of local top-flight outfit Videoton (now known as Fehérvár FC).
Stints with Főnix-GOLD, Újpest and MTK Budapest’s academies followed, with the midfielder’s performances for the latter catching the eye of Red Bull scouts.
He was subsequently transferred to Salzburg’s feeder team Liefering, and made his professional debut in the Austrian second tier in July 2017.
Just under a year later, Szoboszlai was handed his top-flight bow for Salzburg, and he has since established himself as a regular starter under Jesse Marsch.
A regular in this season’s Champions League, the 19-year-old featured in both group games against holders Liverpool this season.
His performances on that stage and domestically have also garnered international recognition in the form of eight Hungary caps.
Style of play
A tall, rangy midfielder with tidy footwork, Szoboszlai generally looks to break lines by dribbling, though he is a capable passer of the ball.
He is also a regular set-piece taker for Salzburg and is happy to have a pop at goal from range whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Any concerns over whether he might lack the personality to make an impact at the top level were assuaged when he was recently asked which players he would compare himself to.
The teenager confidently replied: “If I had to name a player who has a similar way to play football like me, I would name [Paul] Pogba or Kroos."
If he gets anywhere near either of those players, he will have had some career.
What next?
Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal have long been credited with an interest in Szoboszlai, while Tuttosport claimed earlier this week that Liverpool had entered the battle for his signature.
The Reds signed Takumi Minamino (below) from Salzburg earlier this season, a transfer that was reportedly aided by strong relations with Red Bull chiefs built when Naby Keita was signed from RB Leipzig.
This could put Jurgen Klopp’s side in pole position for the teenager, though a not-uncommon switch from Salzburg to Leipzig has also been touted.
Szoboszlai is likely to have a range of options whenever he decides to leave the Austrian champions
