Inter Milan Ready To Beat Barcelona & Real Madrid To Highly Rated Croatian Teenage Sensation | OneFootball

Inter Milan are stepping up their pursuit of Branimir Mlacic as Barcelona and Real Madrid also enter the race, with the Nerazzurri determined to secure one of Europe’s most highly rated teenage defenders.

While Ordóñez of Club Brugge remains a prominent name on the list, attention has increasingly shifted toward Mlacic.

“The spotlight has recently turned to Branimir Mlacic,” Ceccarini wrote. “The 2007-born defender of Hajduk Split is considered a potential breakout talent, technically strong and already physically imposing, especially when you consider his age.”

Inter Intensify Pursuit Of Mlacic As Barcelona & Real Madrid Wait

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Inter’s interest is no longer exploratory.

“Contacts with the Croatian club have been ongoing for several weeks,” Ceccarini added.

Indeed, suggesting that the Nerazzurri could soon decide to push ahead with a formal move as competition intensifies.

That competition is already significant.

According to Ceccarini, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund have all made initial approaches, underlining Mlacic’s growing reputation across Europe.

Inter see Mlacic as a defender capable of developing within the club’s structure while offering immediate physical reliability despite his young age.

With rivals circling, the coming weeks could prove decisive as the Nerazzurri weigh whether to accelerate talks and move ahead of elite competition.