Leeds United failed to sign Martin Baturina, but the latest reports linking the Croatian with Aston Villa and Bayern Munich should still be viewed as a vindication of the club’s recruitment.
Long before one of Europe’s biggest clubs entered the conversation, Leeds had already tried twice to bring the playmaker to Elland Road. But the Whites were turned down by Dinamo Zagreb and Como.
It is easy to look at Martin Baturina’s reported £69m valuation today and assume Leeds never had a realistic chance of signing him. But that was not the case, with Leeds’ first move coming two years ago.
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The reality is very different. Leeds made a move for the Croatian on deadline day in the summer of 2024 while he was still at Dinamo Zagreb, identifying him as a player capable of improving Daniel Farke’s side.
Their interest did not disappear after that failed attempt. Reports later revealed Leeds returned with another approach after Baturina’s move to Como, only for the Serie A club to reject a possible deal.
That timeline matters. Leeds were pursuing Baturina before Gazzetta Dello Sport – as per TeamTalk -say Aston Villa and Bayern Munich emerged as admirers. Leeds saw something long before others caught up.
Baturina has become exactly the sort of creator Leeds have lacked
The version of Baturina now attracting attention across Europe is a more complete player than the one Leeds first tried to sign.
Under Cesc Fabregas at Como, the Croatia international has developed into one of Serie A’s most exciting young attacking midfielders, registering six goals and three assists during the 2025-26 campaign.
His creative output is even more impressive. Statistical data shows Baturina created 44 chances in Serie A, underlining why clubs are now willing to spend heavily to secure his signature.
That is also why Leeds kept returning to him. While energy and pressing have been central to Farke’s system, Baturina offers something different. He is a natural playmaker who thrives between the lines.
The Luka Modric comparisons are beginning to make more sense
Few young Croatian midfielders escape comparisons with Luka Modric, but Baturina has carried those expectations for several years.
FIFA has highlighted how the Como star has regularly been compared with the Real Madrid legend, while other analysis has discussed his potential to become Croatia’s long-term successor in midfield.
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You'd take him even after last summer, right Leeds fans?
No player should be expected to replicate Modric’s career, but the comparisons help explain why Bayern Munich have reportedly taken notice.
The German giants recruit players they believe can dominate European football for the next decade. Baturina’s technical quality, vision and composure in possession have put him firmly into that category.
Aston Villa and Bayern Munich have confirmed Leeds were right
The most interesting aspect of the latest reports is not that Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are interested. It is what that interest says about Leeds.
Reports linking Baturina with Aston Villa and Bayern Munich also suggest Como value the midfielder at around £69m, a figure that would dwarf Leeds’ current transfer record.
Whether Leeds could realistically compete financially is almost beside the point. The important detail is that Leeds identified Baturina before he became a player discussed in the same breath as Bayern.
Supporters will understandably wonder what might have happened had one of those earlier moves succeeded. Yet the latest developments should not be viewed as a reminder of what Leeds missed out on.
Instead, they are evidence that the club recognised elite-level potential before much of European football arrived at the same conclusion.
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