When a footballer puts pen to paper on a long-term contract, it can feel like a triumph – or a relief – for a club. In July 2026, Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai signed a new five-year deal tying him to Anfield until 2031, ending months of speculation about his future. The 25-year-old Hungary international, who joined from RB Leipzig for £60m in 2023, was Liverpool's standout performer in a difficult 2025-26 season, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists. Just a day earlier, Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard, 31, moved to Turkish side Besiktas for £15.3m, a transfer that highlights the different ways clubs manage their squads.
Contract extensions are a cornerstone of modern football. They allow clubs to lock in key players during their prime years, protect their transfer value, and build long-term leadership. For Szoboszlai, the new deal came after months of negotiations between his representatives and Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes. The midfielder had two years left on his previous contract and had spoken publicly about the lack of progress. In the end, he described the signing as “maybe my biggest day” – ranking it among the top three moments of his football career, behind his first Liverpool contract and the birth of his child. The deal is a significant boost for new head coach Andoni Iraola, especially after the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate this summer.
“Explains why footballers sign long-term contracts, using Szoboszlai's Liverpool deal as a case study.”
Why do clubs offer long extensions? For Liverpool, there is a clear strategic reason: they view Szoboszlai as a future leader. He already captains Hungary, and with Robertson leaving, he is a strong contender for the vice-captaincy at Anfield. Protecting such talent is vital in a market where top players can move on free transfers. Liverpool learned that lesson the hard way this summer, losing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid. By extending Szoboszlai, they send a signal that they can retain their best players, even as others depart. The contrast with Trossard's exit is instructive: at 31, with two years left on his Arsenal contract, the Belgian was sold for a fee rather than risk losing him for nothing. Clubs must constantly balance loyalty, performance, and financial prudence.
For UK readers – especially Liverpool and Arsenal fans – these moves have immediate impact. Szoboszlai will be part of Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States next week, and his long-term commitment provides stability after a turbulent summer. At Arsenal, Trossard's departure opens the door for new signings: the Gunners are expected to accelerate their pursuit of Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis, valued at about £30m, and remain interested in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola. The club also has Julian Alvarez as a priority target, though competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid is intense.
Q: What is a contract extension in football? A contract extension is a new agreement that keeps a player at their current club beyond the end of their original deal. It often includes a longer term, improved wages, and sometimes a release clause or performance bonuses. For Szoboszlai, his extension runs to 2031, securing his prime years at Liverpool.
Q: Why do clubs offer long contracts to players? Clubs offer long contracts to protect their investment in a player, prevent them from leaving for free, and build a core of experienced leaders. In Szoboszlai's case, Liverpool see him as a future captain and want to avoid losing him the way they lost Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate. Extending a key player can also boost morale and send a positive message to fans.
Q: What does Szoboszlai's new contract mean for Liverpool's future? The deal ensures that one of Liverpool's most important players will stay at the club through the 2030-31 season. With several senior players leaving or nearing the end of their contracts – Alisson and Virgil van Dijk have deals expiring in 2027 – Szoboszlai becomes a central figure in the team's long-term plans. He is likely to take on more leadership responsibilities, possibly as vice-captain, and could eventually become captain.
What happens next? Szoboszlai has already returned to Merseyside for pre-season training and will travel to the United States for Liverpool's tour. The club may appoint a new vice-captain soon, with Szoboszlai a leading candidate. Meanwhile, Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes will continue working on new signings, while Arsenal presses ahead with its own recruitment to replace Trossard. For both clubs, the summer transfer window is far from over.
