Benfica Linked with Dinamo Zagreb Goal Machine, But Hurdles Remain

The 2025/26 Croatian league season witnessed a true phenomenon in Dion Beljo. The powerful striker, standing almost two meters tall, was signed by Dinamo Zagreb from Augsburg for €4.5 million, plus an additional €3 million in bonuses. He's proven to be a real find, scoring an impressive 37 goals in 45 games. These numbers have already caught the attention of several top European clubs. In the Croatian league alone, Beljo has netted 30 goals, a remarkable 15 more than the second-highest scorer, Jakov Puljic (of NK Vukovar).

In recent hours, the 24-year-old forward's name has been linked with Benfica — alongside Ajax and PSV. However, A BOLA has learned from a source close to the process in Croatia that the likelihood of the Eagles' attack welcoming another Croatian is very slim. Beyond the hefty investment, with Dinamo valuing the player at a minimum of €25 million, Zvonimir Boban, a Croatian football legend and the club's president since last September, intends to retain his best players to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage. Dinamo failed to qualify last season and, as Croatian champions, will enter the competition in the 2nd qualifying round.

Only after that — with or without a presence in the Champions League group stage — will Boban consider parting with the squad's key assets. It's worth noting that the second leg of the Champions League play-off, where Dinamo could potentially be, will take place only on August 26th and 27th, very close to the transfer window's closure.

Furthermore, Dion Beljo's name has sparked considerable controversy in Croatia. Despite his prolific season, it's unlikely the towering striker will be called up for the 2026 World Cup. Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim) is an untouchable choice for Zlatko Dalic, but then numerous other names vie for just two remaining spots. Franjo Ivanovic, Benfica's forward, Petar Musa (formerly of Benfica, now at FC Dallas), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka), and Igor Matanovic (Freiburg) are just a few examples.