Como president says Fabrizio Romano pointed the club toward Martin Baturina

Romano’s recommendation led Como to Baturina

Como president Mirwan Suwarso has revealed that football journalist Fabrizio Romano first brought Martin Baturina to the club’s attention. Speaking to LNS journalist Hanif Thamrin, Suwarso said Romano asked whether he would be interested in meeting the Croatian midfielder.

“I replied, ‘Who is he? I don’t know him,’” Suwarso recalled. He said the player’s name sounded familiar, prompting him to ask Como’s data department to assess Baturina. The club’s analysts already knew the player, but Suwarso wanted them to examine whether he could adapt quickly to Serie A.

Sucic was Como’s first choice

Como had initially pursued Petar Sucic, who later joined Inter. Suwarso said Como had reached an agreement with Dinamo Zagreb, but negotiations stalled after the agents’ commission demands came close to the transfer fee itself.

“At that point we said it didn’t make sense to continue,” Suwarso said. With Sucic no longer an option, Baturina emerged as an opportunity, even though Como had initially been looking for a more traditional number eight. The club reviewed the data and decided to proceed with the signing from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2025.

Baturina has become a key figure

The decision has proved successful for Como. Baturina has become one of the team’s important players this season, with his flexibility and freedom in attack suiting Cesc Fabregas’s side. His performances have also attracted reported interest from clubs elsewhere in Europe.

The revelation follows Como’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United on Thursday, in which Baturina featured prominently, according to the source report.