Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Croatian sensation Martin Baturina, and are reportedly considering a transfer this summer.
The Dinamo Zagreb midfielder was impressive at the Under-21 Euros, and the 20-year-old is emerging as one of Zagreb’s biggest talents.
Baturina has already notched up 68 appearances for the Dinamo first team, scoring eight times and assisting 18 from a variety of positions. Typically an attacking midfielder, he has also played on both wings, and even as a defensive midfielder.
Journalist Ryan Taylor has revealed that Arsenal are monitoring the midfielder, with a view to a possible £15m transfer this summer, following the arrivals of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.
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The Gunners are currently focused on sales, but could make a move for Baturina to add to their depth across a variety of roles.
Should Arsenal pursue Baturina?
Arsenal’s new signings have given Mikel Arteta a variety of options, and with Reiss Nelson signing a new deal and Emile Smith Rowe returning from injury, it would be somewhat surprising if another body was added given the stiff competition for places.
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However, Arsenal’s previous interest in Ilkay Gundogan could be a factor behind this interest. Arteta was keen on recruiting Manchester City’s captain before his transfer to Barcelona, in addition to the arrivals of Rice and Havertz.
This indicates that Arteta may be keen on an alternative creative midfielder to Havertz, and whilst Baturina would arrive as a far less experienced option to Gundogan, he could play a similar rotational role as someone who could play across the midfield three whilst also proving decisive in the final third.
At just 20, it seems unlikely that Baturina would arrive in the first team immediately, and could even be loaned out, but it may be worth securing the future services of such a top talent.