EXCLUSIVE: How Martin Baturina 'convinced' Arsenal to make summer move

Martin Baturina's impressive form has Arsenal "convinced" of his talents, as they line up a summer move for the Dinamo Zagreb midfielder.



EXCLUSIVE: How Martin Baturina 'convinced' Arsenal to make summer move

Baturina's recent displays have persuaded Arsenal to chase his signature. CREDIT: OFFSIDE


Martin Baturina has "convinced" Arsenal to make a summer move for him after a string of impressive displays for both club and country, the Gooner understands.

Last week, we exclusively revealed that the Gunners were set to make a bid to sign the talented Dinamo Zagreb midfielder, with a fee of £15m likely to be enough to bring him to the Emirates.

The 20-year-old has quickly become a regular with Croatian giants, making 40 appearances across all competitions this season - including five in the Champions League - scoring five goals and assisting a further seven.

Arsenal have been monitoring the youngster closely in recent months, and were left impressed by a performance in a 4-0 win over Hajduk Split, that saw him sweep home a half volley to score, before picking up an assist with an incisive cross-field pass for the third goal.

But, it was Baturina's display for Croatia U21s at the end of last month that finally convinced the Gunners of his talents, as he lined up against England U21s at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

Facing off against a side containing a host of Premier League stars, including Rico Lewis, Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, the Liverpool pair of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, and Arsenal's own Emile Smith Rowe, the visitors pulled off an unlikely 2-1 win.

Baturina played a huge role in the victory, curling home a delightful free-kick to give his team the lead on 34 minutes, and although he was quiet for the rest of the evening, his goal was enough to convince Arsenal that his technique and ability to change a game made him a target worth chasing.

Throughout this seasin, his vision, passing and elegant play in the final third have earned his comparisons to Real Madrid star Luka Modric, who also played for Zagreb before joining Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners will be hoping they are successful in their efforts to sign Baturina, having missed out on Modric a number of times during Arsene Wenger's reign.

Our source has intimated that Zagreb are likely to demand around £15m or the talented midfielder, a price well within Arsenal's means.


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