GNK Dinamo Zagreb has made a decision regarding the future of midfielder Franu Topić on the final day of the summer transfer window. The club has informed the 22-year-old that he needs to find a new team, with Italian Serie B side Sampdoria reportedly interested, according to a report from 24sata Sport.
Dinamo currently sits third in the HNL table with 10 points from four matches, just two points behind leaders NK Osijek. With a strong start to the season that has seen them score 11 goals while conceding only three, the club's management is working on shaping the squad for the long campaign. Apart from Topić, all details regarding the arrival of Iker Almena from Hajduk Split are expected to be finalized this week.
Why does Dinamo want to sell Topić?
Franu Topić is not part of manager Sergej Jakirović's plans for this season. Although the young midfielder has shown potential, the club has decided he needs regular playing time which cannot currently be guaranteed in Dinamo's competitive midfield setup. This decision comes at a time when Dinamo is missing the injured Theophile-Catherine and Filipović, as visible on our injuries page, but still maintains depth in midfield.
A transfer for Topić would be part of the normal squad renewal cycle. Dinamo is known for developing young talents and selling them when they become too valuable for the bench. The team's current position in the league standings shows that competition for starting spots is extremely high.
Who is interested in signing Topić?
The main interest in Topić comes from Italy. Sampdoria, competing in Serie B, is monitoring the situation and may attempt to meet Dinamo's transfer request. Italian clubs often seek young players with potential who can adapt their style to the demands of Italian football.
Elsewhere in Croatia, the final day of the transfer window brought other moves. Rijeka confirmed the arrival of Iranian midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, while Hajduk secured a significant transfer by selling Branimir Mlačić to Udinese for 4.5 million euros. Watford later announced Mlačić's arrival on loan, posting on social media: "Dobro došao, Branimire Mlačiću! Hrvatski branič stiže na posudbu iz Udinesea do kraja sezone."
How does the transfer affect Dinamo's season?
The decision to allow Topić to leave aligns with the club's strategy to free up a squad place and resources for other moves. Dinamo is already in the process of bringing in Iker Almena, which should further strengthen the midfield. The team's current performance, with three wins and one draw in the first four rounds, shows Jakirović has established a solid foundation.
Dinamo's next match is at home against Gorica on September 5th, an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run. The opponent is currently 10th in the table, giving the Blues a chance to secure important points in the title race. Details of all upcoming fixtures can be found on our fixtures page.
In global transfer news, the world record for a teenager was broken by the approximately 50 million euro move of 18-year-old Senegalese forward Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain to Aston Villa. Mbaye became the youngest African goalscorer in World Cup history at the 2026 tournament. Dinamo's transfers, while of a smaller financial scale, follow their own sustainable policy. The final outcome of negotiations with Topić and Sampdoria is expected in the coming days.
