After months of speculation surrounding the striker’s future, an answer should soon be on the way. And it this story looks unlikely to have a happy ending for those Manchester United supporters hoping to see one of the brightest talents in Croatian football bring his eye-catching finishing ability to Old Trafford.
The Daily Mail reported back in August that Man United were among a who’s who of European giants courting the baby-faced Dino Klapija.
Croatian publication Index, however, believes that there is one club head and shoulders above the rest in a continent-wide scrap, Arsenal perhaps ready to land the knockout blow.
Arsenal are, Index say, the team ‘most interested’ in Klapija.
And the 16-year-old forward, who moved to Croatia from New York City FC in America, is rumoured to be ‘finalising an incredible transfer’ which could see him move on for an eye-watering £5 million.
Mikel Arteta’s scouts were left ‘delighted’ with Klapija after scouting him in the flesh. Arteta’s connections with the City Football Group – he was once an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – should do The Gunners hopes no harm either.
Interestingly, Man United are not even mentioned in Index’s update.
“I expect a serious transfer either in the winter or in the summer transfer window,” Klapija’s agent, Andy Bara, told Sportske Novosti. “When I say serious, somewhere in the range of what we got for Mikayil Faye, who left (to join Barcelona) for five million euros.
“We won’t even talk below that amount. (Klapija) has huge potential.”
Manchester United are looking at a range of teenage talent ahead of the January market. Arthur Vermeeren and Joao Neves are options for midfield, while Antonio Silva of Benfica is a leading target at centre-half.
Gabriel Moscardo, Corinthians’ 18-year-old midfielder, appears set to join Paris Saint-Germain for a cool £22 million however.
