Arsenal ‘Remain’ In Battle To Buy £17M Rated Croatian International But Rival Is ‘Pushing’ To Sign Him

Arsenal “remain” interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb defender Josip Sutalo, according to FirenzeViola.it.

The Italian website has named the Gunners as one of Fiorentina’s rivals for the Croatian international, along with Fulham, RB Leipzig, Ajax and Napoli.

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It is believed that Fiorentina are “pushing” to secure Sutalo’s signature, having already made contact with both the player and his club.

However, the 23-year-old’s price tag is said to be around €20m (£17m) to €25m (£21.5m) which could scupper a move to Italy.

Arsenal are not really in the market for another centre-back

Manager Mikel Arteta currently has five centre-backs at his disposal, if you also include Ben White. When you consider that Takehiro Tomiyasu has experience playing in the middle of defence as well, you can’t see another player being brought in for that position.

If Rob Holding were to be sold before the transfer window closes, the possibility of a centre-half being signed would increase slightly but, even then, the Gunners would probably focus on recruiting players in other positions.

The club could target Sutalo’s teammate instead

Sutalo has been linked with Arsenal in the past, and it is believed that club scouts have been keeping an eye on his performances for Dinamo Zagreb.

However, it is thought that Sutalo’s club colleague, Martin Baturina, is of greater interest. The Daily Express revealed last week that the midfielder is being monitored closely.

The 20-year-old has been compared to a young Luka Modric and it is thought that Dinamo may be prepared to sell the player for around £10m to £15m.

While the Gunners are not expected to make a bid for Baturina this summer, they will maintain a watching brief, with scouts set to attend more games to see him in action next season. A formal offer for the playmaker in the future can’t be ruled out.