Arsenal join Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for NK Kustosija striker Dino Klapija ahead of the January transfer window
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Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for NK Kustosija striker Dino Klapija ahead of the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
The 16-year-old has represented USA and Croatia at youth level and is rated £5 million, with the likes of Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, who both want talks over a deal in November, also keen on recruiting his services.
Arsenal have sent scouts to run the rule over the North Hempstead-born Klapija during his last three matches, with his skilful reputation growing.
The teenage sensation is a strong, quick and sharp ambidextrous finisher who is also good on set pieces, and those qualities have attracted Arsenal.
The project of the North London club and their pathway to first-team football also appeal to Klapija more than that of Man United and Chelsea.
He moved back to Croatia with his family some years ago and qualifies to play for them and America.
He was called up by USA under-17s earlier this month for a training camp as they prepare for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup next month.
More scouts will be watching him during the tournament in Indonesia, and Arsenal will need to act quickly and smartly to pip competition to his signature.
Kustosija are willing to Klapija in January but they want £5m and a sell-on percentage included in any deal.
He started his career in the New York City academy initially starting out as a midfielder before moving to Kustosija following relocation, snubbing the likes of Dinamo Zagreb to boost his chances of earning quick promotion to first-team football.
He is yet to make his senior debut for the Croatian club but has trained with their first-team regularly.
Klapija made his under-17 debut for Croatia in December 2022 and has also picked up a second cap since then, and scouts from AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus have also watched him in action.