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Football
Two Premier League teams are ready to offer around €55 million for Como's Croatian midfielder Martin Baturina amid interest from Bayern Munich.
Two Premier League clubs are reportedly preparing to present offers near €55 million for Martin Baturina, the Croatian midfielder who has impressed during his season with Como in Italy's Serie A. The 23-year-old has attracted attention from top European teams due to his creative playmaking and technical skills.
According to a report by Gianluca Di Marzio, the two unnamed English clubs are leading the pursuit of Baturina, with initial bids expected between €50 million and €55 million. Additionally, Bayern Munich has maintained contact to evaluate the player as part of their plans to refresh their midfield lineup with promising young talent.
Como, however, has set a steep asking price of €80 million for Baturina, aiming to deter potential suitors. The club regards the midfielder as a crucial figure in their squad, particularly as they prepare for their inaugural European campaign. Management views Baturina as an essential component of Cesc Fabregas' starting lineup and intends to keep him unless an exceptional offer matching their valuation is received.
Head coach Cesc Fabregas has emphasized the importance of continuous improvement following Como's historic qualification for the Champions League. Since the club's acquisition by the Djarum Group and successive promotions from Serie C to Serie A, Fabregas has focused on closing the gap with Europe's elite teams. After celebrating their fourth-place finish, Fabregas quickly returned to work, underscoring the need to raise the team's level and organization promptly.
"Yes, the night after the Cremonese match, we celebrated with the whole team and the staff. On Monday morning, we were already back to work, it's true, because it's the right thing to do. Now everyone will go on vacation, but there is something important for me to manage. We need to raise the level, the organisation, and many other things. It needs to be done right away," Fabregas stated.
The club's decision to demand €80 million for Baturina aligns with Fabregas' broader vision for Como. The coach has confirmed his commitment to the club and the project he began in 2024, emphasizing the necessity of retaining top players to build a competitive and resilient squad. Maintaining this mentality is seen as key to sustaining the club’s upward trajectory amid the challenges of Serie A.
"We had a long meeting with the president and the director [regarding my future]," Fabregas recently commented. "We have consolidated the idea; the vision is already on the next season. I am very happy here; as you know, I am missing a step or two more, and I am learning a lot. We are creating a mentality." This approach suggests the club intends to resist lucrative offers from the Premier League to preserve its core talent.
