Could 'the Croatian Messi' be next?

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 23rd July 2015

Slaven Bilic is keeping a close eye on the situation regarding young Barcelona star Alen Halilovic.

19-year-old Halilovic made the move of a lifetime last season when he switched allegiance from Dinamo Zagreb to Barcelona for a fee in the region of €2million.

And although he signed a five-year contract with the Spanish giants, the seven times-capped Croatian international is already being linked with a move away from the Nou Camp - with Real Betis and West Ham strongly linked with a move for the player.

Halilovic failed to make more than a single first team appearance for Barcelona last season, but was a regular fixture in the club's 'B' team (for whom he played on 30 occasions). Despite his lack of involvement at first team level he was still involved in two European Championship qualifiers for his nation.

Having started his career with Zagreb, the attacking midfielder made history when he became the club's youngest player at the age of 16 years and 112 days. Later in the season he became the youngest Zagreb player to feature in the Champions League, and by playing became the second-youngest player ever to feature in the competition.

Both West Ham and Betis are understood to be keen to take Halilovic on a season-long loan.

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