Premier League duo Arsenal and Fulham remain in contention for Dinamo Zagreb’s Croatia international Josip Sutalo with Ajax starting the bidding at £15 million.
Marco Silva’s Fulham, according to reports in Italy, are one of a number of clubs chasing Josip Sutalo this summer, alongside Napoli, RB Leipzig, Arsenal and – of course – Ajax.
Ironically enough, however, it could be Fulham’s pursuit of another talented young centre-half which paves the way for Sutalo to end up at the Johan Cruyff Arena instead.
The Cottagers have agreed a deal with Ajax for Calvin Bassey; the former Rangers starlet set to undergo a medical in West London. And while Sutalo would not be a like-for-like replacement for Bassey – he is a right-sided rather than left-sided centre-half – Ajax’s £18 million windfall should free up funds for Sutalo to become a marquee addition for a side looking to snatch the Eredivisie title back from old rivals Feyenoord.
Arsenal or Fulham may make Josip Sutalo moves
Ajax, according to Croatian publication Index, have made an opening bid of £15 million, plus bonuses, for Sutalo. Dinamo Zagreb want closer to £23 million. And there is a belief that, if Ajax cannot afford to bring the 23-year-old to the Dutch capital, someone else will.
Fulham, after bringing in Bassey, could turn their attention to a right-sided centre-half. One capable of replacing contract-rebel Tosin Adarabioyo. The chances of Arsenal making a move, meanwhile, may depend on what sort of a role Mikel Arteta is envisaging for new recruit Jurrien Timber.
The former Ajax ace is versatile and technically-gifted, and may have been brought in as a right-back rather than a right-sided centre-half.
As for Napoli, Sutalo – tipped to become ‘world-class’ in the near future – may be tasked with stepping into Kim Min-Jae’s shoes. The South Korean colossus joined Bayern Munich earlier this month.
The good news for Dinamo Zagreb, then, is that Ajax’s opening offer could spark a bidding war. Thus, driving up Sutalo’s price considerably.
“Josip Sutalo is somehow always at the exit door,” Dinamo Zagreb boss Igor Biscan tells Sportske Novosti.
“Since I arrived at Dinamo, especially the last four or five games, he has made a very serious shift. He really looks very, very good. Dominant.
“The departure of Josip will be a great loss. We will hardly be able to find a player who will be able to replace him to some extent.”
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