Red Star Belgrade manager Zvezdan Terzic has told Mirror Football that 17-year-old midfielder Vasilje Kostov, who is being tracked by Arsenal, has what it takes to play in the Premier League, amid interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal are scouting Red Star Belgrade midfielder Vasily Kostov (Image: )
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund will send scouts to Sweden tonight to keep an eye on Red Star Belgrade’s 17-year-old midfield prospect Vasilije Kostov in his Europa League match against Malmo.
The promising Serbian international has made an incredible breakthrough in his country, scoring six goals in 24 games in all competitions, and has already earned one cap for his country.
Kostov has already found a target in Europe against Portuguese giants Porto, and his impressive technical qualities have earned him the nicknames “Barella of the Balkans” and “Pedri of Serbia.” Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, Red Star Belgrade manager Zvezdan Terzic revealed that his side already have a concrete interest in the teenager as competition for his signature intensifies.
“I can’t say exactly who made the call, but we have already received an offer worth 20 million euros (about £1.745 billion) for him,” he said.
Terzic was then asked if he thought Kostov had what it takes to make it in the Premier League, to which he replied: “Of course, but he can’t play for every team. He could play for one of the big six clubs.”
Mirror Football understands that Bayern Munich are just one of a number of teams that have made inquiries to Red Star Belgrade.
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Exactly who made the bid remains a mystery, but Arsenal are tracking the player and will compile a detailed scouting report to assess his potential.
The Gunners are looking to invest more money into their youth set-up as Mikel Arteta boasts one of the best squads in world football.
In recent months, Arsenal have signed Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero, who will join in August 2027 once they turn 18, and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Victor Ojanvuna, who will join in January next year.
Mirror Football reported earlier this week that the club are among a long list of Europe’s elite sides to be aware of 17-year-old Brazilian prodigy Rafael Berinho, who plays in Croatia and has offers from Dortmund, Barcelona and Manchester United respectively.
Current expectations are that Kostov will remain at Red Star Belgrade until the summer before moving on to new pastures, but a sale in January seems impossible.
Vasily Kostov is being pursued by Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and others (Image: )
Former Derby midfielder Timi Max-Elsnik also told Mirror Football when asked about his teammate: “He is already very good and if he continues to progress and develop he can become a top-level player.”
Red Star Belgrade’s academy establishment has been highly praised across Europe and the club has generated significant cash through sales in recent years.
Last summer, Bournemouth signed centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic for £13 million, while RB Leipzig signed midfielder Andrija Maksimovic.
Prior to that, Aston Villa signed full-back Kosta Nedrejkovic (currently on loan at Leipzig) in January 2024 for around £8m plus add-ons.
There were also sales by people other than academy graduates. Centre-back Nasser Dziga joined Wolves in January last year, but things haven’t worked out for him at Molineux so far and he is currently on loan at Rangers.
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