http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/scout/15198/8341453/Sky-Sports-Scout
Sky Sports Scout
We run the rule over Dinamo Zagreb starlet Alen Halilovic
By Sky Sports Scout - Tweet me: @skysportscout. Last Updated: December 18, 2012 3:15pm
Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find.
Scout Facts:
NAME: Alen Halilovic
AGE: 16 (18th June, 1996)
BORN: Dubrovnik, Croatia
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: Dinamo Zagreb
FACTS: Youngest player ever in Croatian top-flight
Sky Sports Scout Ratings:
0-10 - No hoper
11-20 - Should look elsewhere
21-30 - Might not make it
31-40 - Has work to do
41-50 - Keep an eye on him
51-60 - Great prospect
61-70 - On his way to the top
71-80 - Already World-class
Latest under our scout's gaze is Dinamo Zagreb's
Alen Halilovic
The scout reports...
We check on one of the most talked about young players on the planet - Dinamo Zagreb's Alen Halilovic.
Still on 16, Halilovic has already set a trail of records. In September this year he made his debut for Dinamo - becoming the youngest player in Croatian history. Ten days later he scored, making him the youngest ever scorer.
He is now a regular in the Dinamo squad and became their youngest ever Champions League player when he featured against Paris Saint Germain in November.
He is the son of Sejad Halilovic, who was a distinguished player in his own right, playing for a number of clubs including Zagreb and Real Valladolid, and he also played internationally for Croatia and Bosnia.
Halilovic could very well have started his career elsewhere as Dinamo had to battle to hold onto his services. When he was aged 14, Real Madrid spotted him at a youth tournament and tried to sign him. They held talks with Sejad, but Dinamo were not willing to release him and so he stayed put and signed a four-year scholarship.
It was not long before he began making huge strides through the youth ranks and there were even calls for him to play aged 15 - but it was not until he was 16 years and 102 days that he got the call.
Often likened to Luka Modric - it really is uncanny how similar in size, stature and even looks the two are - and yes Halilovic plays very much like the Real Madrid star.
Behind the front-men, attacking from midfield, Halilovic is a wonder for his age. Unlike Modric he is left-footed but that almost shows him off in a more elegant fashion and it could be argued his finishing is better.
Clearly he is far from Modric in terms of his general play and passing - but you could argue they were cast from the very same mould.
Like his father, Halilovic will also have to decide about his international future - Croatian-born and he has come through the youth ranks with Croatia - he is eligible to play for Bosnia and a final decision has yet to be made.
The scout says...
Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City are at the head of a very lengthy queue to secure Halilovic - it really is a question of when and not if this boy will make a multi-million pound switch to one of Europe's biggest clubs.
He has his pick of clubs, and only the player - with his father guiding him - will decide. Hopefully he won't be rushed and his burgeoning talent will continue to blossom.
The Scout rating...
Shooting: 8 out of 10
Passing: 8 out of 10
Tackling: 6 out of 10
Heading: 6 out of 10
Pace: 8 out of 10
Vision: 9 out of 10
Current ability: 8 out of 10
Potential ability: 10 out of 10
OVERALL SCOUT RATING:63/80
Current value: L12million
Potential value: L80million