Barcelona are monitoring a 21-year-old talent who recently turned down an offer from Real Madrid, with the club keen to secure his services. Meanwhile, a Barcelona loanee is making waves at his new club, showing impressive form after a challenging season, suggesting he could play a key role in the future of the Catalan side.
Barcelona Eye 21-Year-Old Star Who Rejected Real Offer
Martin Baturina is catching attention with his standout performances for Croatian powerhouse Dinamo Zagreb, drawing interest from top clubs across Europe.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has already garnered significant interest from Real Madrid.
As previously reported earlier this month, Baturina has turned down a five-year contract offer from the current La Liga champions.
Barcelona Is Also Interested
According to Sky Sport Germany’s Patrick Berger, Barcelona is now also keen on signing Martin Baturina.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder intends to leave Dinamo Zagreb at the end of the season as he looks to advance his career.
Barça is reportedly interested in the young talent, who has the support of Real Madrid captain and legend Luka Modric.
Manchester United and Atletico Madrid also admire the Croatian international, but according to the report, he views the Bundesliga as the perfect next step before joining a larger club.
Baturina, with two goals and seven assists in 17 matches this season, doesn’t have a release clause in his Dinamo Zagreb contract and is anticipated to be valued at €20-25 million in the summer.
Is Baturina a Necessity for Barcelona?
Although he is an exciting prospect, Barcelona already has a wide range of attacking midfield options position.
Hansi Flick already has Dani Olmo, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, and Pablo Torre available for the role, with Raphinha also performing well when played as a central attacking midfielder.
In addition, young prospects like Unai Hernandez and Noah Darvich are on the reserve team, with the potential to step up to the senior squad in the future.
Considering the depth of the attacking midfield position, Barcelona would be wiser to allocate its funds toward strengthening other more pressing areas instead of pursuing Baturina.
Barcelona Loanee Shines at New Club After Tough Season
After a tough beginning at Barcelona, Vitor Roque made the bold choice to join Real Betis on loan, hoping to revive his career.
The Brazilian also struggled early at Betis, facing challenges and missing several key opportunities.
Since then, the Barcelona loanee has made a significant impact at Real Betis, delivering a string of impressive performances.
Vitor Roque’s Quick Adjustment at Real Betis
Roque has scored five goals across all competitions this season, equalizing with Giovanni Lo Celso as Betis’ top scorer.
The pair have formed a strong attacking partnership, playing a crucial role in Manuel Pellegrini’s offensive strategy at Betis.
In 14 appearances this season, Roque has scored three goals in La Liga and two in the Copa del Rey. Pellegrini expressed pleasant surprise at the Brazilians’ performances and considered him an important player for the team.
What Lies Ahead for Vitor Roque?
Following his improved performances at Betis, Roque’s future remains uncertain, with Los Beticos holding a €25 million option to buy 80% of his rights.
If taken up, it could provide Barcelona with a financial boost, possibly recovering the initial €30 million paid to Athletico Paranaense.
As for Roque, the Barcelona loanee seems to have settled into life at Betis, as shown by his celebration following his recent goal against Celta Vigo.
Roque recently took a jab at Xavi, highlighting how he was not given sufficient opportunities.
Barcelona is unlikely to block Roque’s move if he seeks a permanent transfer to Betis. In fact, it would help the club lower its wage budget and create space for new signings in 2025.
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