Exclusive: Newcastle and Brighton Set for January Battle Over Hungarian Starlet Alex Tóth

Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion are both targeting a January move for Hungarian wonder kid Alex Tóth, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The 20-year-old Hungarian international midfielder is having a season to savour and quickly winning himself a reputation as a real star for the future. 

And our sources have learnt the Magpies and Seagulls are both hungry to secure his signature when the transfer window re-opens in little over a month’s time.

The Budapest-born playmaker has two years left on his current contract at Hungarian club Ferencvaros after the club turned down bids from two unnamed in the clubs in the summer.

Toth is currently starring under form Republic of Ireland international and Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane, who is Ferencvaros manager.

And it is believed Keane was key to Toth staying for longer to get much-needed first-team action under his belt.

But SportsBoom understands than Keane knows he has a difficult job holding on to Toth, especially as the bright lights of the Premier League beckon.

Last season Toth was nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award, the only player from Hungary to do so.

Newcastle and Brighton could also head into January with significant spending power, with Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke attracting big-money interest from several European giants and Chelsea heavily linked with a swoop for Newcastle’s Dutch defender Sven Botman.

TEMPTATION

Italian giants Juventus have previously been linked with a move for the midfielder, but the youngster has so far resisted any temptation to leave his native country.

Toth came through Ferencvaros’ youth and academy system, after briefly leaving for Honved for a two-year spell.

He enjoyed two productive loan spells with fellow Hungarian side Soroksar during the past two season, playing 23 games.

And this season has he played nine games for Ferencvaros having quickly made an impact in the team.

Capped nine times by his country as well, Newcastle and Brighton are both believed to have been monitoring Toth’s situation for some time, and now they are ready to pounce.

A fee between £5-10million has been muted for the youngster, but the Magpies and Seagulls expect more competition for the midfielder.