Barcelona fail with bid for Croatian starlet

Croatian starlet Alen Halilovic looks set to remain with Dinamo Zagreb, having seen club vice-president Zdravko Mamic rebuff a transfer offer from Barcelona for the player's services last month.

The 17-year-old who has been capped on three occasions by the Croatian senior side, had been linked with a switch to either Tottenham Hotspur or Barcelona during the winter transfer window.

However, Barca were the first to make an official bid for Halilovic, which was rejected by Zagreb, as the club expect to keep talented youngster at the club for at least three more years.

"We have received an offer from Barcelona for Halilovic, but it was not accepted because we, the player and his family were not entirely satisfied with the terms," Mamic said.

"The story does not stop there. Barcelona still want the transfer to happen so we will see how everything will continue.

"We would like to see Halilovic at our club for at least three years."

Barcelona currently lead the La Liga standings on goal difference.