Arsenal, Liverpool planning to offer escape route to Luka Modric duplicate who is ‘open’ to move
Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly two clubs taking a ‘greater interest’ in Croatia midfielder Lovro Majer, who is ‘open’ to a move.
Majer’s exploits for Dinamo Zagreb last season put him on the map – especially those in the Champions League qualification stages. Indeed, the midfielder scored twice and assisted three times in eight games.
His season with the Croatian side was cut short, as Stade Rennes liked what they’d seen and snapped him up for around £10.6million.
Majer had a fantastic first campaign with the Ligue 1 side. The Croatia international scored six times and provided eight assists in 29 games, as Rennes finished fourth.
Despite his introduction to the Rennes side being a good one, that’s not meant for more game time this season. Majer has started just 13 of the club’s 32 Ligue 1 fixtures this term.
That’s surprising, given how much of an impact he had on the side in his first campaign.
Given the limited chances he has been given, he’s not been able to replicate his impact. Majer has scored once in the league this term and assisted three times.
It would not be a surprise, then, if he was unhappy with having few opportunities to build upon his good first season.
Arsenal, Liverpool plotting to offer Majer escape
It’s unclear whether or not that is the case. However, the Daily Mail reports Majer is ‘open to a new challenge’, which is surely a consequence of his limited opportunities at the moment.
Given he’s shown his quality in the not too distant past, he’s got suitors lining up.
Indeed, the report states there are Premier League clubs ‘following developments’ with the Croatian. Tottenham are mentioned, due to their good rapport with Rennes.
However, Arsenal and Liverpool are apparently ‘taking a greater interest in Majer’s situation’.
Modric duplicate Majer seems good snare
Having gotten consistent opportunities in a top European league for just one season, it’s difficult to tell quite how good Majer could be. The first season at Rennes certainly showed that he’s capable of having an impact, though.
He’s also not had a bad time of it in international football. In 19 appearances for Croatia – the majority of which coming in the past two years – Majer has scored four times.
For a midfielder, playing alongside Luka Modric is likely to be a big help in their development. There are similarities between Majer and his international teammate, too.
Beyond the physical resemblance, the Croatian pair play in the same position, with Majer usually operating in a slightly more advanced role.
While it’ll be a long way for the Rennes midfielder to go before he reaches the heights of Modric, there certainly seems to be promise.
At 25 years of age, he should be reaching his best years soon. As such, either of Arsenal or Liverpool should be getting a good player, and given he didn’t cost far north of £10million, it shouldn’t be an expensive addition.
With that being said, even if the signing doesn’t come off, not much has been lost. If it does, whichever side snares him will have gotten a good asset for a bargain.
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