£17m playmaker Martin Baturina profiled as Manchester United scouting mission emerges in Croatia

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Manchester United enjoyed a busy summer transfer window but are already being linked with potential signings for 2025.

Ineos have just finished their first summer transfer window at Manchester United.

Big signings and major changes were expected – and Ineos can be happy with the business they completed.

Joshua Zirkzee signed from Bologna as United added a striker before wonderkid centre back Leny Yoro completed a big move from Lille.

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui signed from Bayern Munich together whilst Manuel Ugarte joined from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

Those five signings have marked major additions for United will hopefully give Erik ten Hag the boost he needs after last season’s mixed fortunes.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Manchester United want Croatian talent

The summer transfer window has only been closed for just over a week.

The rumour mill doesn’t stop though and United are already being linked with a potential summer signing.

Germanijak in Croatia report that United are very interested in snapping up Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Martin Baturina.

It’s stated that United have Baturina ‘very high on the wish list’ ahead of the January transfer window.

United scouts are thought to have been monitoring Baturina for a while now and he will be studied even more closely now.

The report claims that United were planning to scout Baturina in action for Croatia against Poland on Sunday and will watch him against Hajduk Split this coming Friday.

There is just one problem; Baturina was an unused substitute for Croatia and didn’t appear against Poland after all.

Baturina did though start against Portugal last week and went to battle against United captain Bruno Fernandes in the process.

Dinamo want to offer Baturina a new contract but United may well ramp up a move for the attacking midfielder either in January or come the end of the season.

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Who is United target Martin Baturina?

Baturina actually hails from Split and spent some time in the Hajduk youth ranks.

The 21-year-old – whose father is the former Croatia international Mate Baturina – joined Dinamo in 2017 and has progressed through their ranks ever since.

Now with 126 appearances for Dinamo, Baturina has hit 16 goals and 32 assists.

Baturina has started the season well, notching four assists in the first four games of Dinamo’s league season.

The Athletic noted over the summer that Arsenal have an interest in Baturina and Dinamo are demanding around £17million.

That report highlighted that there have been real doubts over Baturina’s suitability for the Premier League from a physical standpoint.

Likened to Luka Modric, Baturina may be viewed as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, providing creativity in United’s midfield.

United would be banking on Baturina’s potential; he is far from the finished product but the midfielder certainly has big talent for the future and could become a star down the line.