The Croatian press has insisted that Barcelona's interest in 16-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Nico Ilicevic goes beyond merely monitoring him. Several European clubs are also tracking his development.
Barcelona continue to follow Ilicevic
Sport concluded that Nico is admired by Barcelona and many other major European clubs, and that Barcelona has watched him in person and regularly monitors his personal and footballing development.
Ilicevic has signed a contract with Eintracht running until he turns 18. Eintracht are said to have sounded out people around Ilicevic to secure his future and avoid losing him without an important economic return. Ilicevic and his family responded positively to Eintracht's approach on the condition that an additional clause would ease an exit at a reasonable price if an offer arrived from one of the major European clubs.
European clubs tracking his progress
German reports confirm that scouts from Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are closely monitoring Ilicevic's development. Bild confirmed that Real Madrid are also following Ilicevic. Sky reported that Inter and Milan have sent envoys to track Ilicevic closely.
A Bundesliga debut at 16
Adolf Hutter handed Ilicevic his Bundesliga debut in the final minutes against Hamburg, days after Ilicevic turned 16. His appearance lasted only about 10 minutes.
Adolf Hutter, the Eintracht Frankfurt coach, said: "In just six or seven minutes, he showed much more than expected. He was exceptional, but this does not surprise me, because he showed that in training too"
Youth international and Croatia contact
Ilicevic is an international with Germany's youth teams and is the nephew of Ivo Ilicevic. The Croatian Football Federation has made contact with Ilicevic and those around him in preparation for a possible senior call-up.
In a separate development involving Real Madrid, Sport estimated that signing 16-year-old midfielder JJ Gabriel would require a sum approaching 15 million euros. Real Madrid wanted Gabriel, while Barcelona had long considered the agreement a done deal.
