Ryan Smart
Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.
Dominik Szoboszlai is reportedly closing in on a move to Liverpool - and he rivals Lionel Messi and Bruno Fernandes in one key statistic.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Reds have now triggered the 22-year-old's €70 million release clause, which is understood to expire on June 30.
He adds that personal terms have also been agreed between player and club, with the Hungary international now set to depart RB Leipzig and complete a move to Anfield.
Liverpool have moved quickly to secure the deal, with The Athletic's David Ornstein claiming on Wednesday that the club recognised the signing was going to be 'very difficult' to complete.
Szoboszlai is set to become Liverpool's second signing of the summer and bolster a midfield that needed strengthening following a raft of summer departures.
He has been involved in 28 goal contributions over the last two campaigns in the Bundesliga - but it is another statistic that will no doubt interest Liverpool fans.
Szoboszlai rivals Messi, Fernandes in key statistic
According to a statistics chart from FBRef, Szoboszlai ranks within the top 10 in Europe's top five leagues for shot creating actions per 90 minutes.
The Hungarian's 5.52 shot creating actions per 90 minutes puts him in 10th place on the list - three spots behind Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (5.94).
Lionel Messi sits in the top three on the table, with his average of 6.25 shot creating actions only bettered by Lille midfielder Remy Cabella (6.45) and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (6.55).
Other notable names in the top 10 include Messi's PSG team-mate (until June 30), Neymar (fifth, 6.11) and former Watford star Gerard Deulofeu (6.09).
As per WhoScored, Szoboszlai has the sixth-highest rating of any player in the Bundesliga for the 2022/23 season - another indication of just how talented a player Liverpool are closing in on signing.
Topics: Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai, Premier League, Lionel Messi, RB Leipzig, Bruno Fernandes, Transfers