Arsenal ‘on the verge’ of signing Vasilije Kostov from Pink Star Belgrade

Arsenal are nearing an settlement to signal thrilling Serbian attacking midfielder Vasilije Kostov from Pink Star Belgrade, in response to Serbian outlet Sportinjo, as relayed by Sport Witness.

Considered one among Serbia’s brightest younger prospects, the attacking midfielder has even been recognised by the Worldwide Centre for Sports activities Research because the greatest Below-18 midfielder in world soccer.

A spot within the senior squad got here final summer time, when he was solely 17, and since then, Kostov has shortly turn into the standout determine at his membership, scoring 14 objectives and offering seven assists in 42 appearances throughout all competitions this season.

His rise started after his Serbian SuperLiga debut in April, when he secured a daily beginning function underneath head coach Dejan Stanković, and his progress has continued on the worldwide stage.

His first senior cap for the Serbia nationwide workforce got here in final November’s worldwide break in a match towards Albania. At 17 years and 5 months, he turned the third-youngest participant to characterize his nation, behind Andrija Živković and Andrija Maksimović.

Such a meteoric rise at each membership and worldwide ranges has not gone unnoticed, with Sports activities Witness citing Sportinjo, reporting that Arsenal are among the many golf equipment displaying essentially the most concrete curiosity in Kostov.

Kostov to Arsenal

It seems the Gunners are set to trump different golf equipment to accumulate the teen’s signature, because the report provides that the Premier League leaders are ‘on the verge of an settlement’ for the attacking midfielder’s switch to the Emirates Stadium subsequent summer time.

Kostov is now believed to be ‘packing his baggage’ to maneuver to London this week after the North Londoners agreed a deal price £10m in mounted charges and add-ons, which may see the overall price doubtlessly rise to £20m, in response to the report.

Used predominantly as a No. 10 in Pink Star’s 4-4-2 setup this season, Kostov has additionally featured in deeper midfield positions and on the fitting wing, making him a sexy proponent for Mikel Arteta resulting from his dynamism.

Along with that flexibility, he brings relentless vitality, a reliable defensive contribution, and a bent for spectacular moments, as demonstrated by his good half-volley within the 2-1 defeat to Porto final October.

Regardless of Arsenal’s sturdy midfield depth, long-term planning stays important, significantly amid ongoing uncertainty over Martin Ødegaard’s future, which makes Kostov an interesting choice to regularly combine into the squad and doubtlessly step right into a midfield function ought to the Norwegian transfer on.