Dinamo Zagreb starlet Martin Baturina has been linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal so football.london has taken a closer look at the player and what he could bring to north London
Martin Baturina is the latest player linked with a potential summer transfer to Arsenal.
Baturina is said to be valued between £10million and £15million, although no transfer to the Emirates Stadium appears to be imminent, with the north London club now focusing on selling players. But who is Baturina and what is his play style? football.london takes a closer look below.
Who is Baturina?
Aged just 20, Baturina is a talented central midfielder born in Split, Croatia.
Baturina plied his trade with hometown sides Hajduk Split and RNK Split before joining Dinamo Zagreb's academy at the age of 14. Since then, he has made a name for himself as one of the most talented players in the Croatian top-flight, already featuring 68 times for the first team, an impressive feat considering his age.
Where does he play?
Baturina is very much a traditional central midfielder, capable of operating as a deep-lying playmaker or as an advanced number eight as well. His greatest assets are his vision and passing, always looking for a progressive option between the lines.
He is quite similar to countryman Luka Modric in terms of his play style, gliding elegantly with the ball at his feet whilst also keen on controlling the tempo of the match. Baturina's output in the final third is also hugely impressive, scoring six goals and providing a further 12 assists in the league last season.
Why are Arsenal interested?
Mikel Arteta has shown that he is a big fan of the concept of youthful experience, the idea of signing players that are still very young but equally already have a lot of first-team opportunities under their belt. The Spaniard has shown that this summer by bringing in Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, who are both 24 years old but have been regulars at the top level for five of six years.
Baturina fits this billing. Despite being just 20, he has already become a key component in Zagreb's team, no easy feat considering they have won each of the last six Croatian league titles.
The talented midfielder also has experience in the UEFA Champions League, something that is vital to the Gunners going forward.
What has been said
Tomislav Obradović, who was part of Zagreb's coaching staff when the aforementioned Modric was at the club, made the comparison between the Real Madrid icon and Baturina. "Baturina, like Modric, is a midfielder who sees the game very well and is a great candidate to be Modric's successor after Luka's farewell, along with Kovacic", Obradović told Spanish outlet AS.
Numclprt
0
You need English courses
u haven't a clue
Numclprt
1
As kids we don't become the next of a star we become the next. it is frustrating to be called the next Modric only to end up like the next Ozil. they are all good players and stars but not alike in their playing style and fans may be too shortsighted to see that you are still a star anyways
u haven't a clue!
IPEN17
0
u are not well is Ozil not a fine midfielder or don't u watch football
You need English courses
Fanlmopuyz
1
As kids we don't become the next of a star we become the next. it is frustrating to be called the next Modric only to end up like the next Ozil. they are all good players and stars but not alike in their playing style and fans may be too shortsighted to see that you are still a star anyways
u are not well is Ozil not a fine midfielder or don't u watch football
zerbigboy
2
THE🐐 MIDFIELDER . THE ONLY PLAYER THAT WIN BALON'D'OR IN THE MESSI RONALDO ERA 5X TIME UCL WINNER🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
kohbdenruy
0
I think he is too handsome to be Modric 🤣🤣🤣
ReptilianFans
4
wow the next Modric. that's quite refreshing. you usually can only see the next Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo. LOL
Zosbcdlmnp
1
sign him ateta
siedkpyz
2
Arteta and Arsenal, you are known for scouting for others to secure, I hope this will not be the same. Go for him and send him on loan as Unai Emery did with Saliba and now you are raping the dvidend,otherwise those of your scouts hunters Will pounce on him and you will be at the receiving end.
bepbdntuy
3
there is no next Luka Messi Ronaldo etc,stop posting nonsense
riaadlopsy
1
next to this, and next to that. Crap to teams to teams FAILED to help bolster to their full potential. better not buy, but focusing the budget to upgrade academy players
Sariff
0
if he's the next modric then why real Madrid not considered him
donjoemerald
3
Martin Baturina is Martin Baturina,enough of all these comparison .It weighs these young lads down.
Martial254
9
Bayern Munich scored 27 goals yesterday while Chelsea scored 22 goals in 2023 ...one is a football club in Germany while the other is a group of boys in London with no place to call home🤣🤣
peaceofmind
3
Let the boy be himself , Which one is next Modric 🙄🙄
IPEN17
1
As kids we don't become the next of a star we become the next. it is frustrating to be called the next Modric only to end up like the next Ozil. they are all good players and stars but not alike in their playing style and fans may be too shortsighted to see that you are still a star anyways