Milan Badelj's agent has confirmed United's interest in the 21-year-old Dinamo Zagreb starlet - likened to ex-Milan ace Zvonimir Boban.

The Croatian playmaker has also been compared to Tottenham's Luka Modric recently and is said to come with a L8million price-tag after a number of top performances for his club and his country's Under-21s this season.

Badelj was excellent again this week as Croatia lost 3-1 to France Under-21 in Reims, watched by a host of scouts from around Europe, and his agent has revealed that United have long been aware of his burgeoning talent.

Dejan Joksimovic said: "Manchester [United] have followed him for a long time and is interested. But Milan cannot play in the Premier League because he is not in the [senior national] selection. That would prevent to him from obtaining a work permit in the United Kingdom.

"Last summer CSKA Moscow made a very beautiful offer. But Milan had preferred to remain in Croatia."

The agent also suggested that his performance for Croatia's Under-21s had brought him to the top of many French club's wanted lists.

"On Tuesday in Reims well, Milan played and several French teams noticed it. Some are very interested. His transfer fee is estimated between 8 and 10 million euros, but it must be a top club from a top league," he said.

"League 1 is a very strong championship. This challenge could tempt him."