Real Madrid: Zidane has made contact with Szoboszlai - Bild

Real Madrid have stepped up their plans to sign Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. In Germany, Bild report that Zinedine Zidane made contact with the player during the past few days. During a telephone conversation, Zidane tried to convince the player to sign for Real Madrid in the next transfer window - when Szoboszlai is considering leaving Red Bull Salzburg to take the next step up in his career.

Leipzig in the way

As Bild claim, the 20-year-old is keen on the idea of ending up at the Santiago Bernabéu however, negotiations with sister club RB Leipzig are at an advanced stage. Red Bull have traded several of their players between their clubs in the past - such as Naby Keita, Marcel Sabitzer and Dayot Upamecano. A move to Leipzig is viewed positively by Szoboszlai's close circle as it is a club which allows young players to develop their talent away from the media spotlight and without the pressure associated with Europe's major clubs.

For now, Szoboszlai, who has been involved in 17 of the team's goals in the 17 games he has played for Salzburg, has not made a decision about his future. However, after receiving a personal phone call from Zidane, who sees Szoboszlai as Isco's replacement, came as a huge surprise to the player. His future will be settled in the coming weeks. Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the other clubs who are interested in Szoboszlai who, in Hungary is already being compared to the great Ferenc Puskás. Szoboszlai will surely know that Puskás is a Real Madrid legend, and Zidane wants him there next month. It will be Dominik who has the final say.