Written by: Andrew R
Lots of drama and transfer talk has been surrounding Croatian youngster Matija Frigan this summer, but the major question on most people’s minds is where will he go? Rijeka has entertained ideas of selling Frigan to sides in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and now most recently Belgium. However, although all these options are available, one is making the most noise; a journey to the North of England to Sunderland. According to Sports Illustrated, Championship side and promotion hopefuls Sunderland have sent a 4 million Euro bid for Frigan to Rijeka that was rejected earlier in the week. This may seem like the end of story but, it is now being heavily rumored that Tony Mowbray’s side are ready to offer a 6m Euro fee to match the wishes of Rijeka.
To some fans a move to the Championship may seem questionable for such a promising talent. Many ask the question: what can Frigan gain by going to the Championship that he can’t get currently in the HNL? If Frigan were to move to Sunderland, a partnership with fellow youngsters Jobe Bellingham and Luis Semedo would be formed. Frigan at Sunderland would give the development he needs from a club that is creating a reputation of being known as a youth talent destination in England. With promotion as a serious goal for the Black Cats, Frigan could be a valuable asset that could launch Sunderland back to the promised land of the Premier League and elevate Frigan’s talent alongside them.
Do you believe Sunderland is the best destination for Frigan or should he stay and wait out for a better deal to develop elsewhere?
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/150neqh/dinamo_1_0_hajduk_52_martin_baturina_croatian/
Pretty touch from Petkovic and well taken strike from Baturina. Baturina really has me excited.
What’s up with the Green Hajduk kits?
Baturina with legit starting and middle and ending it off right
Kid looks legit
If luka gonna give his number to the Turk at Madrid maybe he will give his number to baturina for the repka;)
Seriously tho I guess kova will become number 10?
Speaking of unless I’m living under a rock. Did luka confirm euro??
Reason for Hajduk’s new green kits:
“simbolizira predanost tehnološkoj inovaciji, stilu i ekološkoj odgovornosti”
I was at the game and it was hard at points to distinguish the 2 teams. Who comes up with this crappy color? Oh well, it didn’t really help Hajduk – they looked tired and it was damn hot.
Agreed, great strike. So difficult to keep a shot from a bouncing lay off like that from flying over the bar.
Doesn’t Dinamo need help with scoring?
Why not Dinamo scoop him up
Groom him for sale for 12 mill next year?
Hard to say no for any hnl team except Dinamo to 6 mill now tho
Baturina scored today I thought I saw??
This kid may be ready sooner then we think and as some have stated may be taking majers spot sooner then later if he keeps progressing
Seems like he may have that more offensive ability that kova wouldn’t have if they play together in the middle
The more I see of Baturina the more I’m convinced he’s something special. Might just be the “next one” as they say. Great talent
He’s closing the gap between him and our NT midfielders pretty quickly.
If he has a great season (which he’s already started strong with that awesome Supercup winning goal yesterday) it will be hard not to call him up for the Euros.
Not sure if he will play much, but I could see him as a late sub for us.
Njegove riječi nisu moje. Istina izlazi na vidjelo
https://www.sportsmanor.com/tennis-i-have-always-felt-croatian-is-novak-djokovic-really-serbian-tennis-legends-true-origins-revealed-through-his-grandfathers-words/
He didnt do anything in all games against Dinamo last season. I think this guy is getting overhyped.
Erm… in other news, Livakovic could very well be moving to Fenerbahce. The Turkish team will be playing in the Conference League qualifiers this season.
The ideal scenario in my view: Livi should stay in Dinamo this season, play in Champions League, put up a good performance with the National Team at EURO 2024, then leave next summer as a free agent. He would get a number of offers from clubs in the petica league and can bargain for a good salary.
But nope, it looks like our #1 is going to play in the Turkish league… if the transfer materializes, from a sporting perspective I will regard it as the second disappointing move of the summer after Brozovic to Al Nassr.
Championship is a tough and very physical League. Huge difference in pace in comparison to HNL. Having seen Frigan play for Rijeka in my opinion going to England will not suit him even if it is second tier comp in England.
He alway considered himself Italian.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38006000/after-chelsea-pulisic-embraces-ac-milan-italian-roots
Lol, his dad has an Italian flag tattoo on his arm. Enough said….. We should never speak of him again.
Exactly. David Diehl he is not! Now that’s a dude. Pulisic no.
Who cares about Puselic. He is overrated. Croatia doesn’t need him.
Seems like a good move. Even Alen Halilovic was made relevant again by playing in the Championship, before he took himself off the grid by rejecting the opportunity to stay. If Frigan contributes to Sunderland’s promotion, then he will have A) distinguished himself at a club of Premier League caliber and B) go through the growth experience of contributing to a winning season, possibly even a title (possibly even a run in one of the cup competitions). Even if Sunderland doesn’t win promotion, Frigan will have gained valuable experience.
I don’t feel Frigan is clinical enough in his finishing yet, and would prefer that he stays at Rijeka for at least half a season more to continue his development.
However it looks like his departure is all but going to happen this summer… I really hope he ends up in the right club. Miskovic should budge a little from the €6M price tag as there might be other suitable clubs that want to sign Frigan but are only able to offer amounts that fall slightly below that price.
As comparison, I note that Augsburg only signed Beljo for €3M back in Jan (however not sure if Beljo’s contract was due to expire then).
I thought NYCFC from the MLS were also interested.
I do not this guy much at all, so I would have to rely on what others say about him.
With regards to why the move and why so quick, I would think this may have a lot to do with both money, and opportunity.
Opportunity in the sense that if it ends up being a success he would be an easy shoe in for Dalic, mainly because it is the Premier League. So, let’s just say if it were possible that this guy could have a 20 goal season, and I am not saying that it will happen but presumably it could for any player. In this case, I think he would automatically get called up by Dalic because he is playing in a top tier league and is having a successful season. It would be immediate and he would move up the pecking order ahead of everyone else. So in this sense it could be a smart move of it works out.
So in essence, this has to do with Dalic’s motto, neither right no wrong, that he will only take players in a top league. This is especially the case with those players who are doing well in those same leagues.
Of course people question his choices from the HNL. But that may only be because we don’t have an actual striker.
I do not know this guy much at all I mean at the top***
I don’t like our players going to England. Most of the time they are sitting on the bench. I doubt this will be good for his development.
I agree. Frigan should stay 1 more season at home then maybe find a home abroad.
He is physical and has good size though.
Sunderland have been developing players recently and giving youngsters lots of opportunity to flourish and in the case of this, Sunderland don’t have a striker and the coach will most likely give him the opportunity to Frigan as he has done with Amad Diallo, Jack Clarke, Anthony Patterson and Ellis Simms and it will most likely do it with Jobe Bellingham and other youngsters coming in this transfer window.
I don’t see how he wouldn’t get an opportunity to play but it will be demanding as it’s considered a huge fee and the amount of games in the championship.