Man United scout ‘next Modric’ with promising playmaker ‘very high’ on the Reds Transfer wishlist who turned down £25m Leeds move -Report

Man United scout ‘next Modric’ with promising playmaker ‘very high’ on the Reds Transfer wishlist who turned down £25m Leeds move -Report

Manchester United have been linked with a young Croatian playmaker who has already been dubbed as the ‘next Luka Modric’ due to his similar skill set.

Since the takeover, the Red Devils have changed the way they handle the transfer market.

These days, it’s obvious that they want to sign athletes who are still developing and have a lot of promise.

That was true in the summer when they signed players that are 23 years of age or younger, such Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, and Manuel Ugarte.

According to the most recent sources, it appears that they are already keeping an eye out for their next big star.

Man Utd scouts have reportedly been observing Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina for a “long time,” according to the Croatian publication Germanijak.

Scouts are believed to have been observing the 21-year-old over the international break because he started Croatia’s Nations League match against Portugal.

As per the report, Baturina is ‘very high’ on the Red Devils wishlist as they clearly see the talent and potential of the young Croatian star.

Like Modric, Baturina has burst onto the scene at a young age and given he has also started his career at Dinamo Zagreb, it’s no surprise that a comparison has been drawn between the two players.

However, unlike Modric, Baturina tends to play a more advanced role. The 21-year-old generally plays as a number 10, although he can also do a job on the left or right-hand side.

On occasion, he has also played as a holding midfielder, but for Dinamo Zagreb, he tends to be the most advanced of a midfield three.

Croatian sports agent Zdravko Mamic spoke about Baturina’s potential during an interview last year and compared him with the likes of Modric and Dani Olmo.

“There’s another little one. Martin Baturina, who is the rank of Modric or Olmo,” Mamic told Mozzart Sport.

“Time will tell if he is better or worse because he also needs luck. We stood behind Modric and Olmo and that’s why they did what they did. This kid was better than the two of them in those years.”

While Man Utd have been watching the young playmaker, they certainly aren’t alone in their interest. Indeed, earlier this year, the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea were both linked with the Dinamo Zagreb star.

Leeds United also tried to sign him in the summer, but they weren’t able to get the move over the line after reportedly lodging a £25m bid for the youngster on deadline day.

Impressively, the youngster has already made 126 senior appearances at club level and he has produced 48 goal contributions in that time with 16 goals and 32 assists to his name.

He’s also been capped four times by Croatia and is undoubtedly one of Europe’s hottest prospects at this moment in time.

Elsewhere for Man Utd, they are still keeping tabs on PSG playmaker Xavi Simons who could be seen as an alternative option to Baturina.

Simons is currently on loan with RB Leipzig, but a host of Premier League sides, including Man Utd, are keeping tabs on him ahead of next summer.