DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI has hinted this weekend’s German Cup final could be his final outing as an RB Leipzig player, with Newcastle United ready to make a move for the Hungarian midfielder.

Szoboszlai has had an excellent season with Leipzig, helping the Bundesliga club finish in third position and secure Champions League qualification while also playing a prominent role in the run that took them to this weekend’s DFB-Pokal final against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 22-year-old attacking-midfielder, who is the captain of the Hungarian national side, scored nine goals in all competitions, and also weighed in with nine assists as he established himself as a key part of Leipzig’s preferred starting line-up.

He is contracted to his current employers until 2026, but the Leipzig hierarchy are aware of growing interest in his services and are expected to sell this summer while Szoboszlai’s stock is high.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe confirmed that a new central-midfielder was at the top of his summer wanted list when he discussed his transfer plans during his post-match press conference at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, with Szoboszlai featuring prominently on the Magpies’ list of preferred targets.

A formal move is anticipated once Leipzig have rounded off their season with this weekend’s appearance in the cup final, and while Szoboszlai feels he has made considerable progress in the last nine months, he has hinted that the next stage of his development could take him away from Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena.

“If there is interest, I will consider it,” said the Hungarian. “Not because I don’t have a good time in Leipzig, but because I have always been interested in challenges.

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“On one side of the scale is a good Leipzig, with a coach who trusts me and team-mates who accept me and also believe in me. No footballer can wish for more than that, this is quite an exciting situation.

“At the same time, on the other side, there is the question if I can now take a step towards Europe’s top five or six clubs, should I say no to the challenge? I’ve never been that type. I am in a very good position as I can play in a fantastic club. However, I don’t want 15 years from now to look back on my career as if I didn’t get the most out of it.”

Newcastle’s place in next season’s Champions League will clearly increase their prospects of luring Szoboszlai to Tyneside, and the Magpies are confident of being able to afford both Leipzig’s asking price and the midfielder’s wage demands.

With the summer transfer market cranking into gear, Newcastle are understood to have been offered the opportunity to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix.

Chelsea opted not to complete a permanent deal for Felix, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Stamford Bridge, but his permanent employers, Atletico Madrid, do not see him having a future with them.

As a result, Newcastle’s recruitment team have been offered the chance to take Felix to Tyneside, either on a permanent basis or on loan. However, with the forward reportedly earning more than £200,000-a-week with Atletico, wage issues would appear to make a deal unlikely.

The Spanish media have also linked Newcastle with a possible move for Celta Vigo forward Gabri Veiga. The 21-year-old, who scored nine goals in 27 La Liga appearances despite Celta Vigo’s struggles, has a €40m buyout clause in his current deal in Spain.