Fabrizio Romano: Aston Villa close in on brand new transfer, Kosta Nedeljkovic talks at final stage
Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to sign teenage defender Kosta Nedeljkovic from Crvena Zvezda, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian transfer guru, shared on his Twitter account in the early hours of Monday (15 January) that the Villans are closing on signing the right-back from the Serbian outfit but will stay for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.
Talks are at the final stages between the two clubs in a deal that could see the defender join for less than €9million (£7.7m). The Villans are believed to have been scouting the 18-year-old for a while.
Romano posted: “Aston Villa are closing in on deal to sign 2005 born right back Kosta Nedeljković from Crvena Zvezda.
“He’s set to stay at Serbian club until the end of the season. Talks at final stages for less than €9m.Villa have been scouting Kosta for long time.”
Promising
The 18-year-old has come through the youth ranks at Red Star Belgrade, and has gone on to make 18 appearances for the senior side, which includes appearances in the Champions League.
Capped at U19s level for Serbia, Nedeljkovic is considered a highly-promising talent so its certainly refreshing and pleasing to see the Villans identify such a talent and look to bring him in at Villa Park.
There is no official word from either club as of yet and so it remains to be seen if the transfer goes through, but it certainly makes sense given Villa are in need of adding a reinforcement at right-back.
Nedeljkovic is certainly one for the future of Aston Villa but should he impress for the remainder of this campaign and when he does eventually bed in at the club well into next season, it won’t be a surprise to see him star for the first team.
Unai Emery confirmed to the media in his press conference last week that Calum Chambers is free to leave the club, and while the club do have Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa as current options, targets will certainly be looked at this month.
Further, the club exercised its recall option on youngster Kaine Kesler-Hayden this weekend, and so it remains to be seen how this potential reshuffle in that position works out.
But the deal to bring in Nedeljkovic is exciting and just the transfer strategy the Villans should be looking to do on a regular basis.
In other Aston Villa news, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Villa and Leonardo Spinazzola, with a Roma exit now expected.