Report: Manchester United intensely scouting Dinamo Zagreb hitman
Could United look towards the Croatian side for a smart piece of business?
According to a report from Croatian outlet Index HR, Manchester United have scouted Dinamo Zagreb striker Bruno Petkovic multiple times this season.
Bruno Petkovic, 29, is enjoying one of his best seasons with Dinamo Zagreb. The centre-forward has bagged 16 goals and supplied seven assists in 31 games across all competitions, including seven goals in as many UEFA Europa Conference League appearances. However, he failed to trouble the scorers in midweek as Dinamo Zagreb bowed out of the Conference following a 5-1 defeat to PAOK in the second leg of the last-16 tie, despite having taken a 2-0 lead at home in the first leg.
Manchester United scouts have been present in Maksimir lately to watch the Croatian international in action. Index HR claims there has neither been any official contacts between the Red Devils and Dinamo Zagreb nor any enquiries or offers tabled so far, but it is clear Petkovic is one of the players on their radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
Turkish club Trabzonspor wanted the 29-year-old striker last summer and had offered €5m, which Dinamo Zagreb rejected. One would assume that a strong season in Zagreb would have raised his price tag but the Croatian club are open to selling him for €5-10m in the summer due to his contractual situation, the report adds.
Manchester United will be spending the coming weeks and months evaluating their striker options ahead of the summer transfer window. Scoring goals consistently has been a problem for Erik ten Hag’s side this season, and there is an expectance that the club would add a new striker to the squad to help take some of the workload off Rasmus Hojlund’s young shoulders.
Red Devil Armada’s verdict:
Given the massive outlay on Hojlund last year, it is unlikely we spend big on another young striker in the next transfer window as other important positions need reinforcing. Signing an experienced striker who is ready to act as a back-up to Hojlund in the next couple of years should be the club’s agenda.
Bruno Petkovic has caught the eye of Man United scouts with his goalscoring exploits in Zagreb this season. At 29, the Croat is at the peak of his powers and would jump at the chance to join Man United if we table an offer. If he enjoys a strong Euro 2024 in the summer, his price would definitely rise but given his contract at Dinamo Zagreb expires in 2025, we should try getting him at a cheaper price.