Dinamo Zagreb will have to find new targets after being rejected by Panathanaikos striker Ante Rukavina. The 24 year old reitterated his commitment to the Greek club and followed up by scoring in a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg on Tuesday evening.Dinamo are now being linked with Hiroshima's Japanese striker Sato however at 28 years old this is hardly an investment for the future and is likely to cost Dinamo a hefty transfer fee. Zdravko Mamic, however may be put off gambling on another foriegn player having seen a largely foriegn based side without Tomecak, Badelj, Vrdoljak or Mandzukic flop badly against Slovenian opposition this week.
Dinamo fans are likely to be realistic about their chances in Europe this season having seen star striker Mandzukic go. If Dinamo can obtain a team to win HNL1 whilst also developing for next season they may be more than satisfied. Dinamo are satisfied with Chago, Adrian Callelo, Etto, Sammir, Pedro Morales, Leandro Cufre, Miroslav Slepicka and Luis Ibanez, but adding another foriegn striker may be working against the countries interest. It is likely Dinamo fans would prefer a Croatian to replace Mandzukic. However strikers are currently in short supply.
After Rukavina's rejection, Dinamo could offer a chance to Hapoel Tel Aviv striker Bojan Vrucina. The deal would cost only 500,000 Euro's and it appears the Isreali club would be prepared to let him leave for such an offer. In addition Ergotelis forward Mario Budimir, who has excellant hold up play may have a lot to offer to Dinamo. Dinamo fans may be realistic about the team's chances in Europe this season having seen Mandzukic leave. However if Dinamo can produce a HNL1 title winning team they would be contented. As well as a number 9 Dinamo may also look at signing Ivan Bosnjak to bring the goals which it would appear Dodo is unlikely to provide. Dodo would appear to benefit from spending the season out on loan. A deal for Davor Vugrinec seems unlikely whilst Ilija Sivonjic is on board. The arrival of Vrucina and Bosnjak may help give time to Croatia Under 21 international Andrej Kramaric to step up into the strikers role.
As for other Croatian strikers who are available Ivan Klasnic is believed to have his pick of clubs, whilst Ajax may give more opportunities to Darko Bodul after Marko Pantelic and Dennis Rommehdahl was released. Luis Suarez is also likely to be sold leaving Bodul only one of very few forwards left in the club.
