Fiery Ones Facing New Transfers: Baturina, Fruk, and Šutalo on the Radar of Giants
With four weeks left in the summer transfer window, Martin Baturina is among the most sought-after players in Europe, with a price tag of €80 million.
With four weeks left in the summer transfer window, Martin Baturina is among the most sought-after players in Europe, with a price tag of €80 million.
The first four rounds of the new Nations League cycle are scheduled from September 26 to October 6, 2026, and head coach Slaven Bilić will announce his first squad of his second tenure in just over five weeks. It's already clear that some call-ups will be sent to new addresses, as some of the players Zlatko Dalić led to the World Cup have already changed clubs, and several more are on the verge of transfers.
Ivor Pandur moved from Hull City to Glasgow Rangers a month ago for €7 million, while Luka Vušković left Tottenham for Brighton in mid-July for €56 million. Lovro Majer, who was on the preliminary squad list for the World Cup, also changed clubs-AEK paid Wolfsburg €6 million in compensation for him.
Martin Baturina is currently one of the most sought-after players in Europe. After impressive performances in the second half of the Serie A season, numerous prestigious clubs have shown interest. Specialized portal Transfermarkt estimates his market value at €45 million, but Como is demanding as much as €80 million in compensation for their player.
The Italians are in no rush to sell because they have Baturina under contract until the summer of 2030, and this season they also have a Champions League campaign ahead, which could further boost his price. Aston Villa has already sent an offer of €55 million, which was flatly rejected. Unai Emery, the English club's manager, hasn't given up on bringing Baturina to Birmingham, seeing him as a reinforcement for the Premier League and Champions League. According to transfer insiders, Manchester United and Bayern could pose competition.
Como has already rejected Leeds United's offer of €30 million earlier this year when Baturina wasn't getting significant playing time. Last summer, the Italians paid Dinamo €18 million for him, with bonuses that could reach an additional €7 million and 15% of the next transfer.
Toni Fruk, Rijeka's best player, could also soon change clubs. His market value according to Transfermarkt is €9 million, and Rijeka paid Fiorentina €4 million for him last year. Villarreal, Stuttgart, Ajax, Crystal Palace, and Hull City, where Sergej Jakirović is building a squad for the Premier League, are interested in Fruk. Fruk has a contract with Rijeka until the summer of 2027 and has stated in media appearances that La Liga appeals to him the most.
Josip Šutalo is preparing to leave Amsterdam. According to Portuguese media, Benfica has offered €25 million for him. Ajax paid Dinamo €20.5 million for Šutalo three years ago, with bonuses up to €3 million and 10% of the next transfer. His contract with the Dutch club runs until the summer of 2028.
Mateo Kovačić, who turned 32 on May 6, 2026, is on the verge of a move after spending most of last season in rehabilitation. He has a year left on his contract with Manchester City, and English media claim they are ready to let him go for €10 million. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have shown interest, and Italian sources say Luka Modrić is persuading him to join Milan.
Kristijan Jakić is seriously considering leaving Augsburg, who are asking for €5 million in compensation. Torino, where Nikola Vlašić and Sandro Kulenović play, desperately wants him, but Espanyol from Barcelona is also an option. Spanish media claim Jakić has already agreed personal terms with the Catalan club.
Franjo Ivanović wants to leave Benfica after missing the World Cup due to limited playing time. Benfica paid Union Saint-Gilloise €22.8 million for him a year ago, and his contract in Lisbon runs until 2030 with a release clause of €100 million. Hull City, Betis, and Galatasaray have shown interest, and Portuguese insiders claim Benfica intends to earn at least €25 million through a one-year loan with an obligation to buy.
Marco Pašalić could join Jakirović at Hull City. English media claim negotiations are in the final stages and that the transfer will be completed for €7 million in compensation. Orlando City paid Rijeka €4.8 million for Pašalić in early 2025.
Dominik Kotarski is seeking a move away from Copenhagen after just one year and is only interested in returning to Greece. Olympiacos sees him as a replacement for Konstantinos Tzolakis, and the Danes are willing to let him go for less than the €5 million they paid for him last year. Dominik Livaković is finalizing his transfer from Fenerbahçe to Dinamo, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.
