Spurs open talks to sign Modric

This is a summer of great promise for Tottenham Hotspur and the boys are really hitting the transfer market.

Having kept Spurs in the division, it looks like manager Roberto De Zerbi has been given a code to the vault and is using all the money he has. The boxes may be empty once the window closes in early September.

While the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi never broke the bank, the £52m arrival of Jan Paul van Hecke put things in perspective.

However, a combined £185m could be spent on Matues Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, Finally, the Lilywhites are starting to behave like a big club.

Big money attacker on the road behind Tonali and Fernandes

De Zerbi is making sure he puts all the bases together this summer and after completing a move for Tonali or both Tonali and Fernandes, there is an eye on improving the forward line.

A number of wingers are already the subject of interest from Spurs and Manchester United with Marcus Rashford one possible option. Across town, Tottenham are also in ongoing talks over a move for Brazilian striker Savinho.

While a move for Rashford could be completed at a reduced price due to his current situation at Old Trafford, the latter will not come cheap. Savinho could take around £60m to reward himself at the Etihad Stadium.

These are not the only options, however, as reports from Italy on Monday confirmed that FC Como’s Martin Baturina is now a player De Zerbi and Co are considering.

Spurs have already opened talks with the Italian side over a move but have been told they will not do business unless they receive an offer of around £68m for his services.

Baturina is currently playing for Croatia in the World Cup and actually scored a goal against England during matchweek one of the group stages.

Why Baturina could be Tottenham’s new Luka Modric

While Spurs would like to claim credit for producing Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric and indeed it was the Lilywhites who first lured him away from Dinamo Zagreb, it was Real Madrid where the Croat became a true legend of the game.

He has won many LaLiga titles and many Champions League trophies but despite his fame in Madrid, he is still held in high esteem at Tottenham.

However, in Baturina, they can sign their new Modric and that’s not just because they share the same nationality or come from Zagreb.

In fact, the 23-year-old is a more forward-thinking player than Modric right now. He played a lot of football last season for Cesc Fabregas’ team on the left side.

That being said, one of the best things about the little Croatian is that it is flexible. Like Modric when he was younger, Baturina can also play as a number 10 or as a number 8.

It is because of his qualities in that central position that he has been compared to the former Spurs midfielder. Indeed, explaining Baturina’s rise over the past three years, Como scout Ben Mattinson actually compared the two players.

“Baturina is one of the top talents in world football”, Mattinson began, before commenting that “the obvious comparison is Modric because of his style of running and running but also the defensive effort he makes.”

Exuding class and poise on the ball, the 5 foot 8 diminutive Croat matches his compatriot in stature and is just as intelligent.

Commentator Spencer Mossman even referred to the Spurs target as “one of the best U23 wingers in football”. The fact that he can play wide is one of the biggest differences with Modric.

In the World Cup, he caught the attention of the side, especially finishing all six of his games in the match between Croatia and Panama. In context of how good that is, only four players have recorded 100% dribble success while attempting more than five dribbles in a single World Cup match in the 21st century.

The others are Angel Di Maria, Sofiane Feghouli and Eden Hazard. He is doing well.

Last season, the youngster scored just eight goals and registered four assists but in his first campaign in the top five leagues, it was going well. In Zagreb, he was impressive, recording 12 assists in his final season in Croatia.

Baturina may not be at the forefront of every Spurs fan’s mind right now but he could be a sensational acquisition.