Luka Modric, one of Real Madrid's greatest icons in the past decade, already has his days numbered at the club. At 38 years old, his farewell seems imminent. The Croatian has been key, but Madrid is already looking for a replacement for the midfield when he retires or doesn't renew his contract.
Finding someone with his vision, quality, and ability to control the pace of the game isn't easy. The white club is looking for a young attacking midfielder, with talent and potential for years to come. However, this time, the search seems to be complicated by a name that surprised everyone.
Croatian talent slipping away from Madrid
This is Martin Baturina, a young 22-year-old attacking midfielder who has caught the attention of several of Europe's top clubs. His style is reminiscent of Modric: delicate touch, intelligence in the game, and the ability to change the match with a single play.
Real Madrid tried to sign him, but Baturina decided not to accept the offer. He was also on AtlƩtico de Madrid's radar, but the player chose to stay at his current club, Dinamo Zagreb. He wants to keep growing in Croatia before making the definitive leap.
Premier League, preferred destination
Baturina's future seems to be in England. Four Premier League giants, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United, are very interested in him. They want to take advantage of the transfer window to secure this talent they consider "very good."
The Premier is a league that attracts because of its intensity and competition. For Baturina, it's the perfect opportunity to make the leap to a higher level and show that he can shine in one of the most demanding tournaments in the world.
Madrid watching closely but not in control
Although Real Madrid is still closely following Baturina, the reality is that the player holds all the cards. His decision to reject one of the biggest clubs shows that he wants to chart his own path.
This episode makes it clear that Madrid will have to explore other options to cover Modric's departure. The market is open and the competition is fierce, but finding a replacement at the Croatian's level won't be easy at all.
A promising future for a young man with determination
Martin Baturina is proof that talent doesn't always follow the desired path. His maturity in deciding where and when to take the next step is a lesson for many.
Time will tell if his bet on the Premier is the right one. Meanwhile, Modric leaves a legacy that's hard to match and Real Madrid, an unsolved task for the next transfer window.