[Photo] Arsenal + Spurs Target Confirms Next Move On Instagram

The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Arsenal and Spurs miss out as Alen Halilovic agrees to join Barcelona.

Arsenal and Tottenham have missed out on one of Europe’s top talents after Barcelona agreed a deal to sign Alen Halilovic from Dynamo Zagreb, according to the Daily Mail.

The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe after breaking into the Dynamo first team set up last season. Understandably, his potential alerted a number of top clubs with Arsenal, Tottenham, Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly among the players’ admirers.

However, Barca have won the race for the attacking midfielders signature with the Daily Mail revealing that the Catalans will pay Dynamo £6m up front with a further £4m in odd ons, while Halilovic is understood to have agreed a five-year contract with the Spanish giants.

The newspaper states that the deal was struck after Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and football management director Raul Sanllehi flew out to Croatia to watch the youngster score two goals during a league match against Rijeka on Wednesday night. Following the game, the officials held formal negotiations with Zoran Mamic – Zagreb’s managing director – at the Sheraton hotel where a deal was agreed.

Despite going against the wishes of the players father, Halilovic will start life in Barcelona’s B team where he’ll work his way up with the aim of breaking into the first team squad.

The signing has yet to be formally announced by either club, but the attacker took to his Instagram account to confirm he’ll be on his way to the Nou Camp this summer, posting this picture with a message reading ‘Thanks Dinamo Zagreb for everything!!My first club and biggest love!!Now is time to move on to Barcelona.’

The news will come as a blow to Arsenal and Tottenham, as Halilovic is certainly a huge talent. Both clubs have been keeping a close eye on the players progress and Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas came closest to signing him last summer before the players father reportedly blocked the move.

Halilovic recently admitted he needs to leave Croatia to fulfill his potential and expressed his love for English and Spanish football, while also hinting at the collapse of his move to White Hart Lane last summer.

“My father told me that you cannot have a career in Croatia and reach the highest levels. I don’t want to say which is my favourite team, in case I’ll join another one. I love English and Spanish football, and during last summer I was near to a particular club, and they are still tracking me,” Halilovic is quoted as saying in the Express newspaper.

The youngster broke into the Dynamo first team last season and played in 18 matches in the Croatia Prva Liga and became the second youngster ever player to play in the Champions League when he made a substitute appearance against Paris Saint-Germain in October 2012.

He has also broken into the Croatian national team set-up and has three caps to his name so far having made his debut against Portugal last June, and with a bright future ahead of him, it looks like Barca have added another jewel to their crown at the expense of Arsenal and Tottenham.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news

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