This past summer transfer window, Leeds United wanted to make a significant signing to compensate for the loss of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter in the attack.
In the final hours leading up to deadline day, The Whites zeroed in on a player to fit that No. 10 role: Dinamo Zagreb attacking midfielder Martin Baturina. Moreover, Leeds was prepared to spend big.
According to reports, the move would have been for a Championship record fee of around £25 million. The Croatian club accepted the offer, but Baturina has turned down the move. At this stage of his career, he did not want to move to the Championship.
With the summer window coming and going, Leeds whiffed on their marquee target to help fill that No. 10 role and be the engine of the attack as the club looks to earn promotion this season.
Leeds summer target to Old Trafford?
Although Leeds couldn’t convince Baturina to come to England, another club is looking to lure him to the country: Manchester United. Germanijak reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that the Red Devils’ scouts have been following Martin for a long time.
The report notes that after the Portugal match, United also had scouts in Osijek for the UEFA Nations League game against Poland this past Sunday. Moreover, scouts from the Premier League side will also be attending the derby against Hajduk in Maksimir. All of this is primarily because of Baturina.
Despite playing at the senior level for three seasons now and being a key player for Dinamo in his second season as a regular starter, this recent interest from other clubs represents a significant turning point in Baturina’s career.
He’s also expected to sign a new, improved contract with Dinamo soon, which will put him among the club’s highest-paid players. At the moment, with an annual salary of around €450,000, he’s still far from being one of Dinamo’s top earners.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester United land the player or if Leeds return to the table, especially if they can earn promotion to the Premier League next season and become a more attractive destination for Baturina.
