Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United are ready to battle it out for the signature of 16-year-old Alen Halilovic.

The teenager is currently the hottest prospect in European football and has been labelled the next Lionel Messi with some also making comparisons with fellow Croatian midfielder Luka Modric.

Halilovic is currently contracted to Dinamo Zagreb and has already made an impact on the Croatian football league – Prava HNL – despite only making three appearances since signing a professional contract in June this year. The talented teen has become Dinamo Zagreb’s youngest ever debutant at 16 years and 102 days, as well as becoming the league’s youngest ever scorer just ten days later.

Jose Mourinho has managed to get the inside track on signing Halilovic, who is training at the Bernabeu alongside fellow countryman Luka Modric, however Manchester City and Manchester United are both chasing after the U17s international.

Dinamo Zagreb’s valuation of Halilovic is set at £12million, however it is unlikely any team will be willing to pay such a large sum for a sixteen-year-old. It has been rumoured that both Manchester clubs are considering offering around £6million for the teenage wonder-kid.

In the past, Halilovic has attempted to deflect comparisons between himself and Lionel Messi, but there is no doubt that the youngster is an exciting talent.

“I read in the newspapers that I look like Leo Messi when I play," said the talented youngster.

"But I think the comparison with Messi is just too much.

"There is only one Messi. I admire him, he is a role model for many young players, but I don't know if anyone can be like him."

When asked about playing at a higher level, Halilovic told reporters: "Dinamo will decide what will happen to me, all I have to do is just try to develop as much as I can. Everything else doesn't matter right now.”

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