Arsenal are showing an interest in Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Alongside recruiting a striker at Arsenal this summer, Andrea Berta will also be attempting to execute deals for a left-winger and a central midfielder among others.
Arsenal want Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad but are also aware that Real Madrid’s interest in the Spaniard could make things difficult.
Otherwise, Arsenal are continuing to assess Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan, another midfielder who is admired at the Emirates Stadium.
But whilst assessing their options for a few months’ time, Arsenal have found it hard to ignore 22-year-old Baturina’s talent in Croatia.
Arsenal have been impressed by Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can reveal that Arsenal’s scouts watched Baturina in the Nations League recently in a double-header with France.
Despite still playing domestically in Croatia, Baturina has earned 11 caps for his country, also bagging his first goal in the famous red and white chequered jersey in the process.
READ MORE: How Jakub Kiwior feels about leaving Arsenal after starring against Real Madrid
Alongside teammate Petar Sucic, the duo are seen as the future of Croatian football and Sucic has already agreed to join Inter Milan himself.
Sucic is more of a defensive midfielder whereas Baturina is best regarded as a number 10 – an ‘incredible’ talent on his day.
Given his heritage, Baturina has been likened to Luka Modric at Real Madrid, a player who was recently overawed by Arsenal in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Baturina has also been watched closely by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United over the past 12-months.
And although Baturina rejected Real Madrid in 2024 according to reports, sources have suggested that the player is now ready to leave Croatia this summer.
Manuel Neuer’s Martin Baturina verdict
Eight of Baturina’s 37 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb this season have come in the Champions League, in which he scored two goals.
And before facing Bayern Munich last September, famous goalkeeper Manuel Neuer actually pinpointed the threat of Baturina.
Speaking at Bayern’s press conference, Neuer said: “We know their strengths and weaknesses.
“It is always helpful to play quickly, the right positions. We know that no.10, Martin Baturina, is a strong player, and Bruno Petkovic in attack also brings power.”
An excellent young player who seems primed to take the next step in his career.
Although it remains to be seen if any Premier League club will take the plunge to recruit the 22-year-old directly from Croatia, perhaps aiming to replicate Tottenham’s success signing Modric all those years ago.
