Arsenal enter race for USA-Croatian wonderkid Dino Klapija and could make a move for the 16-year-old striker as soon as January – but Gunners face competition from Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Man United and Borussia Dortmund
- Dino Klapija is a highly rated 16-year-old striker who plays for NK Kutosija
- Arsenal have joined the race for the £5million-rated youth star from the US and Croatia
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Arsenal have joined the hunt for £5million-rated teenage striker Dino Klapija, who has represented the USA and Croatia at youth level.
Manchester United are also tracking the 16-year-old, who plays for NK Kustosija, but interest from Arsenal is said to have turned the spotlight on the highly-rated youngster as they consider a possible move in January.
Mikel Arteta’s scouts have watched his last three games as the skillful Klapija’s reputation grows.
He is strong, fast and a sharp finisher with both feet. He is also good at set pieces.
Chelsea are also keeping an eye on him, but the biggest threat is likely to come from Bundesliga clubs Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, who want to discuss a deal in November.
Arsenal have joined the race for highly-rated striker Dino Klapija, 16, who is valued at £5million
However, they face rival interest from Man United, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and RB Leipzig
Klapija was born in North Hempstead, USA and started at the New York City academy, but moved back to Croatia with his family. He qualifies for both countries and was called up by US U17s earlier this month for a training camp in Oregon in preparation for the FIFA U17 World Cup starting next month in Indonesia.
Kustosija is willing to sell in January but wants £5 million plus a sell-on percentage.
Klapija and his family are aware that they will soon have to make a decision that takes everything into account, not only settling in a new country, but also his education.
Arsenal’s project and trajectory potential is believed to be more appealing than that of Manchester United in its current form, while Leipzig and Dortmund will also be pitching from a position of strength on those fronts.
Kustosija has a reputation for helping to produce top young talents, including Wolfsburg’s Lovro Majer and Mislav Orsic, now at Trabzonspor, among those who have graduated from their ranks. They also sold 19-year-old central defender Mikayil Faye to Barcelona earlier this year.
