Tabloid Talk

Arsenal trail Croatian wonderkid Sime Vrsaljko

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It has been reported today that Arsenal, along with several other Premier League outfits are tracking down Dinamo Zagreb youngster Sime Vrsaljko according to his clubs vice-president Zdravko Mamic. However, should Arsene Wenger be targeting yet another young player? Or should the Frenchman focus more on bringing in experienced players in the winter window?

The 18-year-old Croatian is a great prospect for his club and country, and it is believed that not only Premier League teams are interested in his services, but many other sides around Europe are also looking into the young starlet. Mamic told Croatianjournalist:

“Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen, Sampdoria and many others are after Vrsaljko,”

He goes onto say:

“Some clubs have already spoken to us, many others are calling us for meetings and to watch Vrsaljko in action live, and yes, some clubs are already here.”

Sime Vrsaljko has impressed immensely since bursting onto the football scene in 2009 as a 16-year-old. The right-back/midfielder spent his first 5 months of his senior season on loan at feeder club Lokomotiva where he appeared in all 17 matches for the side, before returning to Dinamo Zagreb before the winter break. The Croatian has so far managed to make a total of 9 appearances for Zagreb and bagged his first goal for the club on 29th of August 2010. Vrsaljko has been capped at Under-19 and Under-21 level for Croatia and will soon enough represent the senior team if all goes well. During the summer transfer window Marseille tested the waters with a £4 million bid, but it was reject. However, Mamic admits that in order for the club to ‘survive’ their best players must be sold:

“Our wish is not to sell anybody from our team, but the truth is, that we can only survive if we sell our best players.”

Although Vrsaljko is still very young, he does have the potential to become a world-beater under the right management. Wenger has attained and produced multiple young talents over the past and could do wonders for the teenage sensation if Arsenal clinch a deal with the Croatian club. Vrsaljko is likened to Luka Modric, but having seen videos of the 18-year-old in action, he reminds me more of a Darijo Srna type player, attacks and defends equally well.

The Croatian starlet possesses speed, agility, skill and excellent crossing ability. A majority of Arsenal fans may not like to see yet another youngster walk through the Emirates doors, but if the Zagreb youngster is hot property as reported, then Wenger without a doubt should make a bid for him. Reports in Croatia suggest that a bid within the region of £8-10 million may be enough to land Vrsaljko in the winter window.

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2 comments

  • Birdman says:

    This guy sounds like a good prospect for the future, but Arsenal don’t need players for the future, they need players for now, so we can start winning trophies, its been too long without a trophie, do us a favour Wenger buy some players that are already established, not players that are going to need time.

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