‘Sure’ - Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United’s interest in £61m Liverpool star

Eddie Howe has confirmed Newcastle United looked at signing Dominik Szoboszlai this summer but hinted at being priced out of a move.

As reported by NewcastleWorld at the time, the Magpies considered bringing the Hungarian international to Tyneside alongside Sandro Tonali but rather than activate his £61million release clause, the preference was to negotiate below that valuation having already committed £52m to landing Tonali.

United, however, were left helpless when Liverpool swooped in days before the clause reportedly expired on June 30. The 22-year-old has started both of the Reds’ opening two Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Bournemouth and is expected to retain his place in the starting XI for this afternoon’s meeting at St James’ Park.

Asked about the interest in Szoboszlai, Howe said: “Sure we liked him. He’s had a really good start to his career - captain of his country at a really young age, I think that tells you about his mentality. Very good technical player. It was quite an expensive purchase for us. There’s lots that goes into every transfer but he’s certainly one that we liked.”

Szoboszlai moved to England on the back of an impressive campaign in the Bundesliga - scoring 10 goals in 46 appearances to help RB Leipzig qualify for the Champions League and lift the German Cup for the second consecutive season. He was watched by Newcastle scouts in games against Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich in May.

The former RB Salzburg man admitted he was open to a new challenge this summer.

He said: “If there is interest, I will consider it. Not because I don’t have a good time in Leipzig, but because I have always been interested in challenges.

“On one side of the scale is a good Leipzig, with a coach who trusts me and team-mates who accept me and also believe in me. No footballer can wish for more than that, this is quite an exciting situation.

“At the same time, on the other side, there is the question if I can now take a step towards Europe’s top five or six clubs, should I say no to the challenge? I’ve never been that type. I am in a very good position as I can play in a fantastic club. However, I don’t want 15 years from now to look back on my career as if I didn’t get the most out of it.”