Arsenal barged out of the way in race to sign 16-year-old wonderkid

Tom Weber

• Updated: 8 Jan 2024 15:44 GMT
• 3 min read

RB Leipzig have agreed a deal to sign Croatian wonderkid Dino Klapija, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 16-year-old has been a sought-after commodity for some time, with Man Utd and Arsenal reportedly looking at the youngster in the summer. Despite playing in the Croatian third tier for Zagreb-based Kustosija, Klapija is far from an unknown.

Born in the US, the Croatian youth international was at one point in the academy setup of New York City FC, who belong to City Football Group. He went to Croatia in search of game time and has emerged as one of the country's biggest talents this term.

Croatian media had reported several weeks ago that Arsenal were the favourites to land him in January, but things appear to have not panned out that way.

Klapija set for Leipzig

The above-mentioned report spoke of a €6 million deal and that the Gunners were 'crazy' about securing Klapija's signature, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also interested. Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Bulls of Leipzig have stolen a march on Arsenal.

The Italian transfer expert took to X to reveal that the Bundesliga side have agreed a deal with Kustosija to recruit the wonderkid. According to Romano, Leipzig will pay a sizeable €5.2m to their third-tier counterparts and also hand out a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

The striker has already completed his medical, it is asserted. It is the second massive deal for the Zagreb minnows in the space of six months. In the summer, they sold Mika Faye to Barcelona for €5 million.

Kustosija were relegated from the Croatian second division last season and currently sit in mid-table in the third tier. Another notable player on their books is Dejan Lovren's younger brother Davor.