Euro U-21 Wonderkids: Who should Borussia Dortmund look to sign?

BATUMI, GEORGIA - JULY 8: team captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis of England celebrate with a trophy with hes teammates, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Cameron Archer, Emile Smith Rowe, Levi Colwill, Max Aarons, Harvey Elliott, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Curtis Jones, Anthony Gordon, Ben Johnson, James Trafford, Jarrad Branthwaite, Jarrad Branthwaite after victory during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 final match between England and Spain on July 8, 2023 on Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

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Martin Baturina. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Martin Baturina – GNK Dinamo Zagreb

Young Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina had an exemplary 2022/23 season. The 20 year old plays for Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb and featured in five of their Champions League games last season. He has gradually become an important figure for his club since his senior debut in 2021. For goal contributions (19) last season, he only finished behind Xavi Simons, Elye Wahi, Jamal Musiala and Benjamin Sesko amongst U-20 players in Europe.

The easiest player comparisons to the 20 year old are fellow Ivan Rakitic or Luka Modric. His main strengths lay in his technical ability, namely his elegance in strong progressive passing in the final third. Look no further than his average of 5.7 key passes per game in the U-21 Euros.

With a market value of €15million on Transfermarkt, Baturina’s stock is high off the back of an impressive campaign. He has attracted reported interest from Arsenal and Barcelona in recent months, and will likely follow last season up with another impressive one.

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For Borussia Dortmund, this transfer would make sense with holes left to fill in midfield this summer after Jude Bellingham and Mahmoud Dahoud’s departures. BVB have began to address the issue with the purchase of Felix Nmecha. Baturina would fit in especially due to his flexibility in playing in multiple midfield roles. At that reasonable market price, it is hard to argue against moving for him.

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