Everton in hunt to sign ‘new Mandzukic’ Anton Matkovic as £8.5m transfer news emerges
Everton are reportedly in the hunt for Croatian centre-forward Anton Matkovic, who has been valued at around £8.5million, according to Vecernji List.
The report on 26 May reveals that NK Osijek rejected an offer of around £6m from an unnamed English club for their teenage star, who has been dubbed “the new Mario Mandzukic”.
Ahead of the summer transfer window, the Croatian top-flight side are holding out for a figure closer to £8.5m, which they feel better reflects his true value.
The 18-year-old has also previously been linked with RB Salzburg and Sassuolo due to his strong performances in his native Croatia.
Would Anton Matkovic be a good signing for Everton?
Matkovic remains a raw prospect – but his talent is quickly being recognised both within Croatia and externally.
The teenage striker made his professional debut this season and has featured on 19 occasions across the Croatian top flight and the Hrvatski Nogomenti Kup, playing a total of 914 minutes.
Matkovic was used more sparingly in the first half of the campaign and did not play more than 45 minutes in a game until 10 March.
Thereafter, he eventually won the trust of head coach Zoran Zekic and started each of the club’s final eight league games.
In that short space of time, he scored four goals, taking his tally for the season to five after opening his account in a 2-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb.
The 18-year-old looks like one for the future rather than the present – but there can be little doubt that, if Everton land their man, they will be acquiring a talented prospect indeed.
In other Everton news, Jeff Stelling has shared his verdict on Anthony Gordon.
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