GNK Dinamo Zagreb is attempting to secure a loan deal for PSV winger Esmir Bajraktarević before the transfer deadline. The Croatian champions want to bring the 21-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international on a one-year loan, as reported by Index.hr Sport. Dinamo currently leads the Croatian First Football League with a perfect record of three wins from three matches.
Who is Esmir Bajraktarević?
Esmir Bajraktarević was born on March 10, 2005, in Appleton, Wisconsin. He came through the academies of Chicago Fire and New England Revolution before PSV signed him in January 2025 for around three million euros. PSV's then-director of football affairs, Earnest Stewart, described him as a left-footer for the right side of the attack, highlighting his one-on-one play, crossing, and individual quality. By mid-August 2026, he had made 42 appearances for PSV's first team, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists in 1461 minutes. His best performance came last season against PEC Zwolle, where he scored twice and set up three more goals in a 6:1 victory.
Why is PSV considering a loan?
Competition for wing positions at PSV is intense. Manager Peter Bosz has options like Ivan Perišić, Dennis Man, and Ruben van Bommel. Consequently, Bajraktarević has made only one first-team appearance this season, coming off the bench in the Dutch Super Cup against AZ. He has not featured in the league and has also played for Jong PSV in the second tier. Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink, a well-informed source on PSV, told Eindhovens Dagblad: "PSV u ovom trenutku najradije želi prodati Esmira Bajraktarevića." However, the club is open to a loan deal if a permanent transfer is not completed before the deadline.
Who else is competing with Dinamo?
Dinamo is not the only club interested in the young international. German side Eintracht Frankfurt and Portuguese giants Benfica have also been mentioned. There is no confirmation of official offers from either club yet. The outcome of negotiations may depend on whether one of these competitors makes a concrete move before the window closes. Dinamo wants a loan until the end of the season, while a purchase is currently not a realistic option for the club. The player's market value is estimated at eight million euros, and earlier in the summer a figure of around 12 million euros was mentioned in the Netherlands as a possible range, though this was not an official release clause.
How did Bajraktarević choose Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Bajraktarević grew up in the USA and played for US youth national teams. He made his senior debut for the United States in a January 2024 friendly against Slovenia. He later decided to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina, his family's country of origin. FIFA approved his switch in August 2024. Since then, he has become a regular for the national team and played at this year's World Cup in North America. This summer, he joined the LIAN Sports Group agency, led by influential manager Fali Ramadani, which also represents several other Bosnia and Herzegovina national team players.
What does this mean for Dinamo?
The arrival of Esmir Bajraktarević would be a significant boost for Dinamo's attack. The club is currently dominating the HNL, having scored nine goals and conceded just one in three games. Their next fixture is a home match against HNK Gorica on September 5th, which you can follow on our fixtures page. If the loan is successful, the young winger could immediately contribute to a squad in excellent form and looking to maintain its lead at the top of the standings. Dinamo will continue working on this transfer until the deadline, hoping to overcome any competition and secure one of the biggest talents in Bosnian football.
