Dinamo and the Unusual Transfer of Nathanael Mbuku: Frenchman on the Club’s Exit Door
Dinamo Zagreb is undergoing major changes this summer, and one player who might be the next to leave is the French forward Nathanael Mbuku (23). Mbuku joined Dinamo in September last year in a transfer that was anything but ordinary, and now it looks like he will be leaving soon.
Who is Nathanael Mbuku?
Mbuku is a French footballer who started his career at French club Reims and later played for Augsburg in Germany. He has represented France at youth levels and also holds citizenship of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He can play as a striker, on both wings, and as an attacking midfielder.
The Unusual Transfer to Dinamo
Dinamo brought Mbuku in September last year, but the transfer was complicated. Initially, he was supposed to come on loan with an option to buy. However, other clubs like Brøndby (offering 2.5 million euros) and Gent (3 million euros) made concrete offers. Augsburg accepted one of these offers, but Mbuku refused the move. Due to limits on the number of players Augsburg can loan out, Dinamo had to buy Mbuku for 1 million euros, making him officially their player. The contract includes a clause allowing Dinamo to return him to Augsburg for 1.5 million euros.
Performance and Future at Dinamo
Mbuku has played 20 games for Dinamo, scoring only 2 goals and providing 1 assist, which is underwhelming for a forward. Dinamo’s CEO, Zvonimir Boban, is conducting a major squad overhaul, with 14 players already gone. Mbuku could be next, especially as French media report interest from Montpellier, a club relegated from Ligue 1 last season.
What Does This Mean for Dinamo?
Dinamo is in the middle of big changes and trying to refresh the squad. Mbuku’s transfer is an example of how complicated transfers and poor form can quickly make a player surplus to requirements. With a market value estimated at around 1 million euros, Dinamo will likely try to maximize this situation and offload a player who has not met expectations.
Conclusion
Dinamo is known for big transfers and squad changes, but this case with Mbuku shows how unpredictable and complex transfer policies can be. The Frenchman who arrived with high hopes is now on the exit door, with Montpellier waiting to sign him. Will Dinamo manage to get rid of this player and continue with their plans? Time will tell.
Got thoughts on this transfer or know a similar story? Drop a comment below — it’s always fun to see how transfers really go down behind the scenes!
