Franjo Ivanović has turned down Hull City and prefers a move to Sevilla, while Noah Nsoki arrives in Zagreb on Friday for a medical. Additionally, Rijeka has signed a Slovenian international goalkeeper, and Newcastle is targeting Luka Sučić.
The transfer window in Croatia runs until September 7, and the final days are bringing exciting news about transfers of Croatian footballers and clubs from the SHNL. The saga surrounding Benfica striker Franjo Ivanović is nearing its end, Dinamo is on the verge of signing a young winger from PSG, and Rijeka has officially confirmed a new addition between the posts.
Benfica is ready to soften its demands in negotiations for the 22-year-old Croatian striker Franjo Ivanović, reports Portuguese outlet Record. The Lisbon club initially insisted on a sale, but is now open to a loan with an option to buy for around €25 million. Benfica paid €22.8 million for Ivanović last summer and now wants to recoup part of that investment, around €22.5 million. According to Diario de Sevilla, Ivanović prefers a move to Betis.
The Croatian striker has already turned down an offer from Hull City, the club coached by Sergej Jakirović. Hull reportedly offered between €20 and €25 million, but Ivanović would rather play for a team with European ambitions. Lazio is also showing interest, but due to financial constraints, they are currently unable to pay the asking price, while Betis remains in the running. Ivanović was not in Benfica's squad for Wednesday's Europa League qualifier against Hearts, which further fuels speculation of an imminent departure.
Noah Nsoki (19) will land in Zagreb on Friday and undergo medical examinations to complete his transfer from PSG to Dinamo. The young winger could initially be assigned to Dinamo's B team in the SuperSport First NL to ease his adaptation, but he is expected to quickly become part of coach Mario Kovačević's squad. Nsoki has made two official appearances for PSG's first team.
Slovenian international goalkeeper Igor Vekić is the new player for Rijeka. He has agreed to a two-year deal with the Croatian champions, with an option to extend for an additional season. Meanwhile, the future of Ivan Perišić (37) at PSV is once again in question. The experienced Croatian international was reportedly offered to his former club, Inter Milan, on Wednesday, according to transfer expert Nicolò Schira. PSV, with whom Perišić has a contract until the summer of 2027, does not intend to let him go easily and would demand a fee of several million euros for his transfer.
English club Newcastle United, which recently appointed Matthias Jaissle as its new coach, is interested in Croatian international Luka Sučić, a midfielder for Real Sociedad. On the other hand, Mateo Kovačić has confirmed he is staying at Manchester City. "I didn't get the impression that I was being questioned. I spoke with people at the club, and they told me they count on me, and that was very important for me to hear," Kovačić said.
Tino Kusanović (18), a striker for the Croatian U-19 national team, will spend next season on loan from German club Nürnberg at Austrian top-flight side Ried. Ried's sporting director Wolfgang Fiala praised the young player: "Tino is very reliable and has a very good finishing touch. I hope we can bring in another player to strengthen our attack."
Winger Josip Balić (22), who scored nine goals in 33 matches for Dugopolje last season, continues his career at Slovenian club Radomlje. His peer Jakov Džolan (20), after scoring 13 goals for Naftaš Ivanić, has become a new player for Dubrava Tim Kabel. Mauro Zalazar (21), a Spanish-Uruguayan midfielder, has arrived from Schalke to Croatian second-division side Kustošija.
The situation surrounding Dženis Burnić (28) is interesting. While 24sata reports that the Bosnian-Herzegovinian defensive midfielder is on the verge of joining Hajduk, Index.hr learns that nothing will come of it and that the Split club has never been in contact with the player. Burnić, who has 22 caps for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team and 187 appearances in the German second division, is currently a free agent.
In other news, Tomislav Duka (33) has signed for Orkan from Dugi Rat, Gabriel Debeljuh (29) and Anthony Kalik (28) have become new players for Lithuanian club Kauno Žalgiris, while Marino Pušić has taken over Saudi club Al Ahli. Dinamo is preparing for the return leg of the third qualifying round for the Champions League against Kauno Žalgiris, which will be played on August 11 in Kaunas.
