Premier League leaders Arsenal are now in contact with Dinamo Zagreb regarding a deal for Bosko Sutalo with the Croatian giants expecting bids to be in the region of £18 million.
Sutalo has been on Arsenal’s radar for at least 12 months.
But is it merely a coincidence that the Gunners appear to be stepping up their interest at a time in which William Saliba’s injury-enforced absence is being so keenly felt at the Emirates Stadium? Arsenal have not won any of their last three Premier League games without their talismanic Frenchman; Rob Holding struggling again during Friday’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.
And 23-year-old Sutalo could be to Saliba what the left-footed Jakub Kiwior is to Gabriel Magalhaes. A high-quality back-up capable of raising the ceiling and providing a solution to any future availability issues.
Arsenal like Croatia international Josip Sutalo
Arsenal, Croatian publication Index say, have ‘contacted Dinamo Zagreb’ to express their ‘great interest’. Dinamo reportedly expect to receive offers in the region of £18 million. A side coached by former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan have sold talented youngsters for substantial sums in the past. See Josko Gvardiol, Dani Olmo and Lovro Majer.
“He can become a world-class stopper,” former Dinamo coach Zeljko Kopic says of Sutalo.
“There is one young player who is absolutely advancing (his development), and who is by far the best stopper in the HNL. And that is Josip Sutalo,” adds reporter Roberto Sola, insisting that the Croatian backline will soon be made up of two players who rose through the ranks at Stadion Maksimir.
“Gvardiol and Sutalo are certainly the partnership of the future. It is only a question of whether that future will speed up a bit.”
Saliba, one of the Premier League’s stand-out defenders this term, will be unavailable for Arsenal’s potentially make-or-break clash with Manchester City on Wednesday; the hunter closing in on their prey following the Gunners’ three-game winless run.
“Saliba has been the player Arsenal have been without,” Gunners legend Keown tells talkSPORT (24 April, 12.30pm).
“You can say it’s not all about one player, but I think this guy doesn’t get anywhere near enough credit; his pace, his power, his aggression. The stature he has.
“He has not been available. And while has not been in the team, it has been more difficult. Balls into the channel, the team playing deeper…
“So that will be a big miss.”
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