Tottenham Target Halilovic Admits Desire to Leave Croatia

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Alen Halilovic has revealed that he will leave Croatia in order to further his career after being advised in the summer to reject the advances of Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs were keen to sign both Halilovic and fellow youngster Tin Jedvaj and were reportedly prepared to make an offer of £17m for the duo. However, the creative midfielder was advised against leaving Dinamo by his father and Jedvaj would eventually seal a move to Serie A giants Roma.

Halilovic has once again been linked with a move away from Dinamo and several European clubs are said to be keen to secure his signature. Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Juventus have all been mentioned as suitors, while Borussia Dortmund are believed to also hold an interest.

The 17-year-old confirmed that he was close to joining a European club in the summer and that he has now been advised to secure a move away from the Stadion Maksimir.

"It is true that in the summer I was very close to a foreign club, but I cannot reveal which one," Haliliovic told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I can confirm [the team still want me]. My father told me that you cannot have a career in Croatia and reach the highest levels."

There is a suggestion that Tottenham may well still harbour an interest in the Croatia international, but in recent weeks there have been reports stating that north London rivals Arsenal are also hoping to sign the midfielder in January.

Arsenal may well be looking to strengthen in the New Year but it seems unlikely that Halilovic would receive many opportunities to impress at the Emirates as manager Arsene Wenger has a host of hugely talented midfielders to choose from.

The teenager is already a first team regular for club and country and would likely be seeking a move to a side that can offer him regular opportunities in the first team, something his former teammate Jedvaj is yet to receive at Roma.