West Ham have rejected the chance to sign a midfielder described as “the best dribbler in Europe,” Claret & Hugh can reveal this evening.
In a quite astounding piece of transfer manoeuvring, the Hammers were close to stealing the player tagged “the next Modric” from under the noses of Inter Milan and Arsenal.
Dynamo Zagreb’s 22-year-old midfielder Martin Baturina has been closely monitored by the West Ham hierarchy. The attacking playmaker has been one of a number of players the Irons have been keeping a close eye on as they look to bolster a struggling midfield.
Former Hammers gaffer Slaven Bilic has spoken in glowing terms about Baturina, whom he claims is the best Croatian talent since Luka Modric.
The Zagreb trickster was understood to be wary of signing for Inter Milan or Arsenal for fear of not getting regular first-team football. Claret & Hugh understands the diminutive No. 10 asked his advisors to find him a Premier League club where he could be guaranteed minutes.
Baturina has also caught the eye of Frankfurt and Newcastle United
Unfortunately for Baturina, West Ham were unable to offer any such assurances, and manager Graham Potter is understood to want a more athletic presence in midfield.
It’s believed that £20m would be enough to tempt Dynamo into selling their talented set-piece specialist. However, it seems Potter is taking his time and being very selective about how he spends his limited transfer budget.
We are apparently in talks with Lucas Stassin, Belgian striker from Saint Etienne, that’s a really good young striker. Be good to know if there is any truth in that one?
I’ve had enough of tricksters and dribblers thanks. I’ve had enough of players like Paqueta and Kudus. Give me a dynamic grafter and team player instead. Someone who can pass the ball to his teammates without losing it all the time would be nice.