Man Utd in scrap to give Ruben Amorim cheap youngster who 'snubbed' huge Real Madrid offer

Manchester United are reportedly among a group of top European clubs interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina.

The 21-year-old is into his fourth season of regular first-team football, and his development has been rewarded with a handful of senior Croatia caps over the past 12 months. With seven goal contributions (one goal, six assists) in 11 Dinamo Zagreb matches this term, Baturina is once again proving that he deserves to be tested at a higher level.

Less than two months before the January transfer window, cash-rich sides are circling. According to Sky Germany, Real Madrid have offered Baturina a whopping five-year contract in an effort to fend off rival suitors.

But the same report states that Baturina rejected their proposal, which included a two-year plan involving loan spells elsewhere in La Liga, because he wants to be an immediate starter at a major side in Europe.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also said to be keeping tabs on the youngster, as well as United, who have just made Ruben Amorim their new manager. The Portuguese landed in Manchester on Monday, and while transfer planning will not be high on his short-term priority list, he is expected to convene with senior figures at Old Trafford long before the January window opens.

Baturina’s Dinamo Zagreb contract runs until 2028 and does not include a release clause. The Croatian side are expected to entertain offers starting at just under £17million.

Amorim may need to fine-tune his midfield ranks if he wants to implement the 3-4-3 formation which served him so well at Sporting. Attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount face uncertainty over where they fit in, Casemiro has long been linked with a United exit, and Christian Eriksen will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Baturina has played in various positions for Zagreb this season but he is primarily a creative midfielder, earning him comparisons to Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.

Real Madrid star Modric is said to have asked Bernabeu bosses to splash out on Baturina. It remains to be seen whether the player himself can be convinced, considering the huge competition for minutes in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield.

Federico Valverde, Auerelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham are already battling it out for starting roles with the reigning La Liga champions, while Modric has started only five of their 12 league matches.