Szoboszlai to Real Madrid rumours intensify as Vini Jr friendship emerges

Cameron Smith

• 17 Feb 2026 09:01 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Vinicius Junior has fuelled speculation that Dominik Szoboszlai could join Real Madrid this summer by confirming he is in regular contact with the Liverpool superstar.

Szoboszlai, 25, has emerged as a target for Los Blancos amid their pursuit of a new central midfielder and they have been tipped to chase a deal when the 2026 summer transfer window opens.

Hungary boss Marco Rossi has confirmed that Szoboszlai “dreams” of playing for Real Madrid and although the Liverpool star has revealed that contract extension talks are ongoing, an agreement has not yet been reached.

Furthermore, rumours of a summer move to Real Madrid have now sparked into life after Vinicius Jr revealed that he frequently speaks to Szoboszlai.

When asked if he has friends outside of Real Madrid by YouTuber Ibai, Vini Jr admitted (via The Mirror): “I talk a lot with Szoboszlai. We met when we were younger.”

He added: “[Lucas] Paqueta is my best friend in football. Raphinha in Barcelona, Savinho, and Reinier in Brazil, who’s played here too.

“We Brazilians are almost always together off the field, but from other teams who aren’t Brazilian, Reece James - I’m very good friends with him. Rafael Leao, I have quite a few friends outside [Real Madrid].”

Dominik Szoboszlai to join Real Madrid?

Despite Vinicius J’s transfer hint, Szoboszlai’s agent, Matyas Esterhazy, has poured cold water on rumours linking his client with a move to Real Madrid.

Speaking to NB1 (via Anfield Watch), Esterhazy admitted: “It’s completely normal for the public, when Dominik is performing like this, to talk about what’s next and if there’s something higher.

“For us it’s not a topic. We are mid-season; he has a lot of work ahead of him in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. He has said many times how important this competition is for him.

“So at the moment to talk about what will happen in the summer in my opinion is not correct. Not to mention, Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and Dominik is in a position within the team that has a lot of reserves, so we are not looking outside or elsewhere.”

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