¿Cómo es posible que el Fruk no haya sido vendido?

How could Fruk still not have been sold? If he has an English or Brazilian passport... The ongoing saga surrounding Toni Fruk’s potential transfer from Rijeka to abroad continues to dominate discussions among fans and analysts alike. This third consecutive off-season has seen speculation about his departure resurface, though so far nothing substantial has materialized. Last summer, it was considered “almost certain” that Fruk would leave, yet he remained with Rijeka and completed another season in the club’s jersey. In the winter months, rumors briefly flared again, but they were dismissed as mere noise, there was no real fire behind the transfer speculation. On the final matchday of the previous season against Goriška, Fruk played almost as a farewell gesture to the fans, being substituted in the 76th minute and receiving applause from the stands before leaving the pitch. Many believed this might be his last game in the Rijeka jersey, but that did not come to pass. He returned for the new season, joining training sessions under coach Matjaž Kek and participating in preparations for the upcoming campaign. Despite this, there has been no movement regarding the so-called “dead point.” After returning from the European Championship, Fruk joined the team's preparations and has been part of the squad in the locker room. Over the past two seasons, Fruk has been one of the standout players in the Slovenian Hockey League (SHNL), serving as a key figure in Rijeka’s success during the 2024/25 season. His performances earned him a place in the Croatian national team, although he received limited playing time during the recent championship. In three seasons with Rijeka, Fruk has played 141 matches, scoring 39 goals and providing 33 assists. His consistent form made him a valuable asset to the team, especially as he transitioned from a young talent into a seasoned player. With age coming into play, expectations for him have shifted from being a promising prospect to a reliable contributor within a group of matured players who must immediately add value upon joining a new club. This might explain why Rijeka has not yet received offers that meet their high standards. Rijeka has set a high price tag for Fruk, with president Damir Mišković demanding a minimum of ten million euros for their best player. Fruk’s continued presence at Kvarner clearly indicates that such lucrative and specific offers have not yet arrived. Occasionally, information surfaces about interest from several clubs, including some American teams, but these stories tend to fade quickly, often remaining just headlines for a day or two. Last year, Mišković acquired the remaining percentage of Fruk’s potential transfer from Fiorentina for four million euros, meaning the full transfer fee will remain in Rijeka’s treasury. This business move was viewed positively, suggesting that Mišković aims to break the club’s transfer record, currently held by Andrej Kramarić after his sale to Leicester City for nine million euros in 2015. Fruk was indeed a hot commodity last summer, with Rijeka hoping for a transfer in the range of ten to fifteen million euros, but such offers have not materialized. One reason for Fruk’s inability to reach the desired transfer fee lies in his current performance level. At his peak, Fruk is arguably one of the top players in the league, but when considering investment decisions, clubs look ahead and assess how much they can realistically expect in return after a few years of service. Had Fruk been five years younger, Rijeka might already have had the offers they sought. Additionally, the country of origin and nationality of a player play a crucial role in determining transfer values. If Fruk had played for a team in one of Europe’s top leagues, those ten million euros could have been easily secured. Or, if he possessed an English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Brazilian passport, the situation would be entirely different. Indeed, Dinamo has recently capitalized on this dynamic, leveraging its marketing efforts around the potential sale of defender Sergio Dominguez (21). The Spanish player’s case highlights how nationalities and league affiliations significantly influence transfer valuations.