It will soon be nearly a month since the transfer window closed but for Manchester United, the rumour mill never stops and neither does the planning for the next window!
The latest one has reliably linked Manchester United to Martin Baturina, the Croatian midfielder who has started this season on fire.
United signed five players this summer in a busy transfer window where many left as well, as Ineos finally engineered a much-needed overhaul.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
In terms of midfield reinforcements, Manuel Ugarte arrived but it was at the cost of Scott McTominay.
Now, with Casemiro clearly declining, Christian Eriksen’s contract expiring next summer, and Mason Mount injury-prone, further additions are required in that area.
That search has landed United on Baturina, the 21-year-old Dinamo Zagreb midfielder whose transfer could be “Leny Yoro 2.0″.
Man Utd in for Martin Baturina transfer
First off, the chase for Baturina’s signature is expected to heat up significantly by the time next summer rolls around.
That is because, at 21, he is already bossing the Croatian League. In just five appearances in the league, playing 69% of available minutes, he has laid on four assists.
Having made his international debut for Croatia near the end of 2023, he is a fixture in the senior setup as well, widely expected to take over the talismanic midfield duties from Luka Modric.
Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger reports that United have ‘positioned themselves’ to try for him next summer after he rejected a move to other sides this summer.
Baturina is an attack-minded midfielder who likes to get on the ball and make things happen with progressive passing and carrying through dribbling.
If he were to come to Old Trafford, he would be a replacement for Eriksen with more stamina and industriousness.
However, he does his best work further forward so a midfield of Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Martin Baturina would work brilliantly.
Leny Yoro deja vu
Berger reports that along with United, Real Madrid have also entered the race for his signature with the Croatian factor particularly strong.
As per the report, Modric has personally recommended to his club that they sign the midfield dynamo turning heads this season.
While it was widely accepted that once Madrid enters the race for a player, it ceases to be a race, United proved this summer that it’s not the case.
Leny Yoro was stolen from under Madrid’s noses as they tried to play hardball, convinced it was “Madrid or nothing” for the Frenchman.
In the end, United’s new team sold their project extremely well, convinced Yoro that Old Trafford was the best place for his development, and made the move happen against all odds.
They would be hoping to repeat that trick with Baturina if the interest becomes concrete and he continues to impress.
In the absence of a release clause, United might again reference Yoro’s transfer and blow their rivals out of the water if they deem him fit for such a step.
Next summer is already shaping up to be quite a ride!
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/Qu5Pfcm