Former Red Star Belgrade coach Milorad Kosanovic is not happy about Kosta Nedeljkovic’s impending £8 million move to Aston Villa with the call of the Premier League coming ‘too early’ for the teenager.
Red Star Belgrade have quite the track record when it comes to developing some of Serbia’s brightest talents, and 18-year-old Kosta Nedeljkovic will arrive in England hoping to follow in the footsteps of Nemanja Vidic, Nemanja Matic and co.
HITC Football understands that Aston Villa have agreed a deal worth around £8 million. Only the final details are missing as Nedeljkovic awaits his official unveiling in England’s second city.
But, as far as Milorad Kosanovic is concerned, the youngster’s sale is the continuation of a rather worrying trend, with both Red Star and Belgrade rivals Partizan frequently opting to cash in on their rising stars before they can even scratched the surface of their full potential.
Aston Villa agree Kosta Nedeljkovic deal
“They are all for sale. Both of them (Red Star and Partizan) can’t wait to be able to sell, to be able to buy and trade. They have become trading companies, not football clubs, and they are not in the business of developing the game of the players and the league,” Kosanovic, who coached Red Star either side of the Millenium, tells Informer.
“They are in the business of trade, and it will be like that as long as clubs are not privatised.”
Nedeljkovic only celebrated his 18th birthday in December. He is due to touch down in England after fewer than 30 first-team appearances at club level. The teenager did, however, hold his own against Manchester City – former Villa captain Jack Grealish and all – in this season’s Champions League group-stages.
“Guys who leave lose, because they go before their time and where they won’t learn anything. Well, Nedeljkovic can learn something in the Premier League, but he will leave unprepared. He won’t even play!” Kosanovic adds.
“It’s early for him. But let’s not lie, they can’t learn anything here either, because our clubs here only deal with trade.”
Villa set to sign a right-back
Nedeljkovic, HITC has been informed, is likely to stay at Red Star on loan until the summer. His arrival boosts Emery’s defensive ranks, with Matty Cash currently the club’s only natural right-back. It remains to be seen, however, if opportunities in the senior set-up will be forthcoming for a player so inexperienced.
One Serbian expert, in conversation with the Birmingham Mail, draws similarities between Nedeljkovic and Inter Milan’s powerhouse Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries.
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