Martin Baturina scored one of the better goals you’ll see in a World Cup opener. The 23-year-old Croatian midfielder took a pass, shifted his weight, and drilled a low shot past Jordan Pickford in the first half against England. It tied the game at the time. It also might have just accelerated his ticket out of Como.
Manchester United is now in the mix for Baturina, according to Sky Italia. The Red Devils are the latest big club to monitor his situation after a breakout season in Serie A and a strong showing on the international stage in Dallas.
United’s interest comes at a moment when Marcus Rashford’s future is still unsettled. The 28-year-old forward scored England’s fourth goal in that same match, but his place at Old Trafford remains uncertain. The club is open to selling him this summer, and a strong World Cup would help his market. But even if Rashford stays, United could use more options in attack. Joshua Zirkzee’s potential departure has the front office looking for a versatile forward who can play out wide or through the middle. Baturina fits that description.
Como already turned down a €50 million offer from an unnamed club, per the same report. That sets the floor for any negotiations. Leeds United tried to sign Baturina previously and couldn’t get it done. Bayern Munich has been mentioned as a suitor, but the Premier League is viewed as a more realistic destination. Aston Villa has also expressed interest.
Baturina moved to Como from Dinamo Zagreb last year and quickly became one of the team’s most important players. He finished the season with eight goals and four assists across all competitions. That’s solid production for a midfielder who isn’t even playing as a pure striker. His technical ability and soccer IQ are what stand out. He reads space well, picks passes that others don’t see, and has a knack for scoring in big moments — see: the World Cup opener.
The question now is whether United will actually pay what it takes. €50 million is a lot for a player with one standout season in Italy, but the market for young, creative attackers is what it is. If Como holds firm and the bidding starts higher, United will have to decide if Baturina is the guy they want to bet on. Or if they’ll wait and see how Rashford’s situation shakes out first.
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