Hamburg nearing deal for Badelj

Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen says the club have ‘essentially’ agreed to a deal with Dinamo Zagreb for Milan Badelj.

The Croatia international has previously been linked with a move to England, with Tottenham Hotspur said to have been keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, but he is now poised to seal a switch to the Imtech Arena.

However, Arnesen said he is unsure exactly when the proposed transfer will go through.

“We have essentially agreed with Dinamo Zagreb that the change must go through no later than August 30,” he told Bild. “We are also basically in agreement with the player (over personal terms).”

Hamburg boss Thorsten Fink has no problem with waiting to complete the transfer for Badelj, believing there is never any point in rushing a deal.

“If one or the other players arrive a little later, then so be it,” Fink said. “It is important that we are all convinced by the player.”

Badelj, who has been capped four times by his country, came through the youth ranks at Dinamo after being signed from NK Zagreb as a 17-year-old.