Premier League giants Manchester United are interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina but they will have a major fight in their hands because Real Madrid also want him on board.
Madrid are set to lose Luke Modric and as per reports, the midfielder has asked Real Madrid to go ahead and sign the youngster as his long-term successor. Manchester United currently have Bruno Fernandes as their only attacking midfielder and they have also been keeping tabs on the youngster for some time. However, it will be very difficult for the Red Devils to jump over Real Madrid in this particular transfer race.
Who is Martin Baturina?
Martin Baturina is a 21-year-old attacking midfielder who currently plays for Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. He has come up through the ranks at the club and since 2020, Baturina has made 127 senior appearances for the club.
The youngster is a full-time Croatian international and during the recent international break, he played 61 minutes vs Portugal in the Nations League.
Baturina is a right-footed player who operates in the No. 10 role and his strong ball control and dribbling skills help in get out of tight spaces quite easily. Dinamo Zagreb play a very possession-based game and Martin Baturina is a key part of that structure.
Last season, he had 10 goal involvements in 32 league appearances and he had a passing accuracy of 86%. He is someone who likes a lot of touches inside the opponents’ penalty box which is why last time, he created 72 major chances.
The 21-year-old has already been likened to Real Madrid legend Luka Modric and there’s a big chance that he is going to be playing for one of the bigger European clubs next season.
Real Madrid or Man United: Which move will be more tempting for the midfielder?
At Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes is already 30 years old and he has also been linked with an exit. Even if Fernandes remains at Old Trafford, Martin Baturina could easily become his long-term successor within the next two to three years.
Erik ten Hag also has Mason Mount who can play in the attacking midfielder’s role but since joining Man United, the England international has spent more time in the treatment room than on the pitch.
However, even though a move to the Premier League will be very tempting for the 21-year-old, the lure of Real Madrid is unmatched. If Madrid are seriously interested in signing him then Martin Baturina will have the chance to replace his international teammate and that’s an opportunity, he will not want to let go of.
Real Madrid have Jude Bellingham who plays in the attacking midfielder’s role so the competition will definitely be high but between Los Blancos and Man United, Martin Baturina is most likely going to choose Ancelotti’s side.
