Revealed: How Milan twice missed out on boyhood fan Szoboszlai before Liverpool move | OneFootball

Dominik Szoboszlai has become one of Liverpool’s standout players, but his path could easily have taken him to San Siro, not once, but twice. And for the Hungarian, a lifelong Milan supporter raised in a rossonero household, the near-miss still feels like a sliding door moment.

His name first emerged in Italian circles in late 2019 thanks to an infamous “pizzino” left by Juventus director Fabio Paratici on a hotel lobby table.

On the sheet were scouting notes, transfer costs and targets, including a young Szoboszlai, then valued at €10m.

Within six months, his price tag had already doubled as he continued to shine for Salzburg, as recalled by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Milan courtship of Szoboszlai

Milan moved early. Under Elliott’s management structure, Zvone Boban quickly identified Szoboszlai as a future star, a technical, creative midfielder with goals, imagination and a high ceiling. The club reached an agreement with his representatives, and with a release clause just above €20m, everything seemed aligned.

But the deal collapsed at the last moment. Internally, some questioned whether he was too raw or not yet mature enough for immediate Serie A demands. Milan looked instead for a more “ready-made” profile. It was a decision they would revisit, and regret.

Six months later, the talks reopened. CEO Giorgio Furlani met with agents and intermediaries, finalising a framework for a five-year contract. The move was set to become the first signing of the Ralf Rangnick era. Then, suddenly, the Rangnick project was scrapped. Along with it went Boban, Szoboszlai’s strongest admirer, and the transfer collapsed for the second time.

The one that got away

Today, Szoboszlai is one of Liverpool’s leaders, signed for €70m from RB Leipzig and decisive again last night with a last-minute penalty against Inter at San Siro, the very stadium he once dreamed of calling home.

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 18: Paolo Maldini, Technical Director of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Dacia Arena on March 18, 2023 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Back in September, after scoring against Milan, he walked off the pitch wearing a Rossoneri shirt. “I’m a Milan fan. All my friends know it,” he admitted. “I have a photo back home in Budapest with my grandmother and Maldini.”

Two missed chances. One lifelong fan. And a story that still stings in Milan.