Last Updated: Sat, 03 May 2008 11:39
Niko Kranjcar's father says Arsene Wenger is big fan of the Portsmouth star and believes he could move to Arsenal this summer.
The Croatian midfielder is thought to be one of the big names on Wenger's summer shopping list and with the immediate futures of Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb uncertain, Kranjcar may be the perfect addition to the Gunners' squad should either depart.
The former Croatian national coach, Zlatko Kranjcar has been a pivotal influence on his son's career and would be delighted if he moved to North London.
"Wenger likes players with a sense of the game," Kranjcar senior told Croatian tv station Index. "Arsenal plays creative football and Wenger recognises this in Niko and he would be a logical replacement for Hleb."
Kranjcar says that Wenger has had scouts keeping close tabs on his son from the very start of his career and it would come as no surprise if he now decided to make his move.
"Wenger was interested in Niko in the Croatian League and he has tracked him for sometime," he added.
However, Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of the fact that he will fight tooth and nail to keep Kranjcar but knows a significant offer from the Gunners for the 23-year-old would make it very tough for him to keep him at Fratton Park.