Arsenal track 'the new Luka Modric' as Mikel Arteta hints £208m splurge could continue

Arsenal are plotting a move for a player that has been dubbed “the new Luka Modric”.

The Gunners have spent more than £200million this summer, as Mikel Arteta’s side look to go one better than last term’s second-place Premier League finish.

First Arsenal signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a £65million deal. Then they brought in Jurrien Timber from Ajax for a transfer fee that could rise to £38.5million.

Only a day after Timber’s arrival, Arsenal announced the club-record £105million signing of England international Declan Rice.

The latter signing is just shy of the British record transfer fee, with Chelsea having paid £106.8million for Enzo Fernandez in January.

Despite their enormous transfer spend so far, Arteta hinted the Gunners could still complete more transfer business in the coming month-and-a-half.

"Let's see. There is a lot of time still in the market and expectations with some of our players, so we will have to see how things develop in the next couple of weeks," Arteta told Sky Sports News.

"We will be alert. There is still time to do things. There is still time for exits obviously, so I am sure things will move."

Arsenal plot move for ‘new Luka Modric’

According to Express.co.uk, Arsenal are tracking Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina, who despite Croatia’s shortcomings, was one of the stars of this summer’s U21 European Championships in Romania and Georgia.

The 20-year-old has reportedly drawn comparisons with Modric in his homeland, due to his weight of pass and immaculate ball control in midfield.

Baturina, who signed a new deal back in April, made 48 appearances for Dinamo in all competitions last season, including 11 Champions League outings. In that time he netted six goals and registered a further 13 assists for the Croatian champions.

As per the Express, sources close to Dinamo believed Baturina is a player held in high regard at Arsenal as they continue to build for the future.

Although a transfer does not appear to be imminent, the club will reportedly monitor the player next season.

Baturina, who has also been the subject of interest from Italian and German clubs, would reportedly cost in the region of £10million and £15million.

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Transfers, Premier League, Mikel Arteta, Luka Modric

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.