Why Lovro Majer would be a good long-term signing for Leeds United

According to Calciomercato (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United are among a host of clubs in Europe monitoring highly-rated Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Lovro Majer. The 22-year-old is ready to embrace a new challenge and has also attracted interest from AC Milan, Fiorentina, Borussia Dortmund, Valencia, and Sevilla.

Majer has been likened to senior compatriot Luka Modric for his style of play and has a contract with Dinamo until the summer of 2023. 

Profile

Lovro Majer started his footballing education at Dinamo Zagreb but he left his local club at the age of 12. The midfielder spent time in the youth ranks of Dubrava and Trnje before completing his development at Lokomotiva Zagreb, where he burst on to the scene in the Croatian top-flight during the 2016-17 season. 

The 22-year-old amassed an impressive 18 goals and 16 assists in 62 appearances for Lokomotiva across two campaigns, establishing himself as one of the hottest young talents in his homeland. Majer returned to Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2018 and has continued to flourish, registering 6 goals and 10 assists in 46 outings.

The left-footed attacking midfielder made his senior international debut for Croatia back in 2017 but he is currently a regular fixture for the U-21s.

Leeds would benefit from Majer’s potential

Leeds United ideally need more depth and quality in their midfield department to compete with the likes of Mateusz Klich, Rodrigo Moreno and veteran Pablo Hernandez. Klich and Rodrigo have both enjoyed a positive start to the campaign but the Whites should start looking for a long-term successor to Hernandez, who is nearing his twilight at 35 and has struggled with injuries. 

Stuart Dallas was utilised in a central midfield role in the Championship last season but he’s essentially a wide player by trade. It wouldn’t be a smart idea to rely on makeshift options in the Premier League. Jamie Shackleton is still very much a work in progress and needs time to make the transition to top-flight football. 

Lack of quality alternatives in No.8 and No.10 roles could well come back to haunt the Whites later on in the campaign when injuries start to creep in. Leeds should, therefore, prioritise the recruitment of a new midfielder in January and Lovro Majer ticks the box as a promising young player with potential.

The 22-year-old has already proven himself to be a cut above the rest in his homeland and looks ready to test his credentials in a more competitive league. He might not be the finished article capable of making an instant impact in English football just yet. But Leeds should look to phase him into the first-team mix over the next few years.

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Verdict

Marcelo Bielsa is right up there with the best when it comes to maximising the potential of young players and he should definitely fancy his chances of transforming a top-quality prospect like Lovro Majer into a better player. The 22-year-old would definitely be a long-term signing for Leeds.