Aberdeen transfer target Tonio Teklic has been likened to Chelsea star Kai Havertz as the Dons get the lowdown on a potential summer recruit.
The Croatian midfielder is out of contract at FK Varazdin next year and the club are preparing to sell up their prize asset in fear of him leaving for free with Barry Robson's side said to be monitoring his progress. The 23-year-old has already told club chiefs he is heading for pastures new and the North East could be his next destination with Aberdeen leading the race, according to reports.
Teklic's former coach at top flight club Hajduk Split has been lavishing praise on the youngster and insists he has the tools to thrive in Scotland. The attacking playmaker has been handed the ultimate seal of approval by mentor Martin Rafelt who oversaw his progress over a year-and-a-half in his B team before he was plucked for Split's senior side.
He has been capped for Croatia from U18s to U23s level and Rafelt believes the strong-armed style of Scottish football could suit the midfielder as he continued to draw comparisons with German heavyweight and Champions League winner Havertz.
He told the Press and Journal: “Tonio’s abilities are unique and it is difficult to compare him to top players. It was clear Tonio had the talent and he was playing in the second league in Croatia very early on in his career. He was able to dominate games at that level.
"However, is he a Champions League player, Europa League player or an ordinary first league player? It is difficult to say what exactly is his best role and his exact potential.
“In top football, you could maybe compare Tonio to Kai Havertz. Havertz is also a player where people don’t know where to put him as he is playing sometimes as a striker and sometimes as a midfielder. He is obviously comfortable everywhere, but it is difficult to say what his best role is.
“That is because it is quite a unique skill-set that you can get out of pressure and are kind of untouchable on the pitch. But is not exactly clear how you will reach your potential. I am not that familiar with Scottish football. However, from what I hear it is very physical and long-ball focused. Tonio can adapt to a physical environment because of his ability to solve situations on his own.
“He is a technical player and if you put him into situations where everything around him is clear and there is good structure, he can do something. Also if you put Tonio into random situations where there is a second ball and he is surrounded by three opponents and it is not clear what to do, then there’s a good chance he will get out of it."
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