Szalai linked with top clubs

Liverpool and Inter Milan have been linked with young Hungarian striker Adam Szalai.

The 6ft 4in frontman has caught the eye this season having helped Mainz go top of the Bundesliga after nine games.

Szalai has scored three goals for the German outfit and claimed a hat-trick in Hungary's 8-0 win over San Marino earlier this month before adding his fourth goal in five internationals in their 2-1 win over Finland.

The 22-year-old was a youth player at Real Madrid and joined Mainz on a six-month loan last season before moving to Germany on a permanent basis this summer.

Reports in Hungary claim he could be set to return to one of Europe's big clubs, although his agent, Oliver Fischer, stressed there is no rush for him to move on.

"If there was an offer then it's likely that we would consider it," he told Nemzeti Sport.

"But at the moment the most important thing is that Szalai is happy to play at his present team.

"No-one contests that Internazionale are a big club but the player is still very young, this is his first full season at Mainz and he has to progress."

Inter coach Rafa Benitez is believed to have had scouts watching Szalai this season, although they are also keen on PSV Eindhoven's Ibrahim Afellay if Szalai is unavailable.

Benitez also had Szalai watched while still Liverpool boss last season and the Hungarian hotshot is thought to have remained on the English club's radar.

Italian outfit Palermo and German side Hannover are also reported to be interested in signing Szalai.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.