Sky Sports Scout - Mateo Kovacic

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Latest under our scout's gaze is Dinamo Zagreb's Mateo Kovacic - recommended by Sky Sports reader Scott Carroll.

The scout reports...

Mateo Kovacic is a 16-year-old already making the grade in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.

Kovacic was born in Austria after his parents had moved to Linz after leaving Bosnia & Herzegovina in 1991.

He began playing at a very early age and was picked up by local side LASK Linz.

It was whist playing for LASK at the age of 13 that he was first spotted by rival clubs and a host of teams from around Europe wanted his signature.

Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus all tried to tempt him to move, but his Bosnian-Croat parents opted for a switch to Zagreb and Dinamo.

Just over a year into his Dinamo career, he broke his leg and that meant he was sidelined for almost a whole season and did not return until May last year.

Despite his injury his progress was not halted and not long after his return he was promoted to the first-team squad by manager Vahid Halilhodzic.

And in November, he was handed his first-team debut playing against Hrvatski Dragovoljac in a 6-0 win, and he also marked his maiden appearance with a goal. That feat meant that Kovacic became the youngest goalscorer and debutant in Croatia league history.

Despite qualifying for Austria and Bosnia, the youngster has pledged his international future to Croatia and he is already a youth international.

A wonderfully talented midfielder, Kovacic has been labelled Croatia's own Lionel Messi - which can only be a hindrance to any young player, but there is no doubting his ability.

His passing is a joy, despite his tender years and it is little surprise that both Arsenal and Barcelona are both keeping regular tabs on him.

The scout says...

Strongly linked with a move, it remains to be seen if Dinamo can keep hold of this prodigious talent.

His coach has stated that Croatia has not seen a talent such as him since the legendary Robert Prosinecki - certainly a player that needs to be followed very closely in the coming years.

The Scout rating...

Shooting: 7 out of 10

Passing: 8 out of 10

Tackling: 6 out of 10

Heading: 6 out of 10

Pace: 7 out of 10

Vision: 7 out of 10

Current ability: 6 out of 10

Potential ability: 10 out of 10

OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 57/80

Current value: £4million

Potential value: £16million

Your opinion...

You have read our opinion of Mateo Kovacic - now we want your views. Have you seen Kovacic in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it?

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