Arsene Wenger
Reuters

Arsenal are planning a January swoop for Croatian wonderkid Alen Halilovic, according to the Daily Express.

Tottenham were prime favourites to land the youngster but the deal has fallen through over the past summer and in recent weeks over certain issues. Reports state that the player's father has asked for guarantees regarding game time from Tottenham while there are rumours that Dinamo Zagreb are asking a much higher fee for the 17-year-old than what the north London club are willing to spend.

The midfielder has also been linked with a move to CSKA Moscow and Bayern Munich but is looking more likely that the player will make the move to the Premier League in the near future. It is believed that playing time is the main reason behind his indecision with all clubs interested in him firmly stocked in the midfield department. Arsenal are not too badly endowed either, having the likes of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey blocking his way.

However, Tomas Rosicky is nearing his mid-thirties and it is conceived that the Croatian can come in as a like-for-like replacement for the Czech Republic international. Arsene Wenger has a reputation for blooding youngsters and has given Serge Gnabry a route into the first team this season. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Cesc Fabregas have all made their way into the starting Xi from being promising youngsters and it is expected that Halilovic will follow the same route if he makes the trip to London.

The Croatian is the youngest to get a call-up to the senior squad and in an interview earlier last month, he revealed that he is not in awe of the occasion.

"It isn't always easy to meet these expectations, but when I'm out on the pitch, I just try and enjoy the game and forget everything else. At the end of the day, I love football," he said in an interview with FIFA.com.

"Every player has an equally important role to play, so I just want to give everything I have and do as well as I can to help the team. I also want to draw on the experience I gained in the senior squad and show how important it is to have a winning mentality and a strong mental attitude in the dressing room," he added.