Man Utd are struggling to give Ruben Amorim a cheap youngster who 'snubbed' a huge offer from Real Madrid

Manchester United are reportedly among a group of major European clubs interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina.

The 21-year-old is in his fourth season of regular first-team football, and his development has been rewarded with a handful of Croatian senior caps over the past 12 months. With seven goals (one goal, six assists) in 11 matches for Dinamo Zagreb this season, Baturina proves once again that he deserves to be tested at a higher level.

With the January transfer window less than two months away, cash-rich teams are circling. According to Sky Germany, Real Madrid have offered Baturina a huge five-year contract in a bid to fend off rival suitors.

But the same report states that Baturina rejected their proposal, which included a two-year plan involving loan spells elsewhere in La Liga, because he wants an immediate starter at a major team in Europe.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also said to be keeping tabs on the youngster, as well as United, who have just named Ruben Amorim their new manager. The Portuguese landed in Manchester on Monday and, although transfer planning will not be high on his list of priorities in the short term, he is expected to meet officials at Old Trafford well before the January window opens.

Baturina's contract with Dinamo Zagreb runs until 2028 and does not include a release clause. The Croatian side are expected to receive offers starting at just under £17m.

Amorim may need to thin out his midfield ranks if he is to implement the 3-4-3 formation that served him so well at Sporting. Attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount face uncertainty over their places, Casemiro has long been linked with an exit from United and Christian Eriksen will be out of contract at the end of the season.

Baturina has played in a variety of positions for Zagreb this season, but is primarily a creative midfielder, earning him comparisons to Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric.

Real Madrid star Modric has reportedly told Bernabeu bosses to unleash on Baturina. It remains to be seen whether the player himself can be convinced, given the huge competition for Carlo Ancelotti's midfield minutes.

Federico Valverde, Auerelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham are already battling for starting spots with the reigning La Liga champions, while Modric has only started five of their 12 league matches.