Football
Vasilije Kostov Poised for Serie A Switch as Inter Milan Lead the Chase, Arsenal & Brighton Left Watching
Teenage midfielder Vasilije Kostov is drawing interest from top European clubs including Arsenal and Bayern Munich, but a deal with Inter Milan seems imminent. The player's agent, Nikola Kolarov, is believed to be pushing for the transfer, with a potential price tag of over €20 million. Kostov, who has been impressive in the Serbian Super Liga and Europa League, could be on his way to Serie A soon.
FC Porto v FK Crvena Zvezda - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 by DeFodi Images | Getty Images
Premier League clubs Arsenal, Brighton and Hove and Crystal Palace could be forced to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements as Inter Milan look set to snap up Red Star Belgrade's Vasilije Kostov, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
At only 17, Vasilije has won plaudits from admirers after posting several impressive displays in the Serbian Super Liga, prompting the Gunners and Bundesliga sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to watch him more closely in the Europa League this season.
While the attention is not likely to wane anytime soon, insider reports suggest he already could be destined to end up in the Italian Serie A.
SportsBoom sources say there is already a 'gentleman's agreement' in place to bring the lad to the San Siro despite the best efforts of several other European clubs.
KOLAROV'S RELATIONSHIP INFLUENCING VASILIJE'S NEXT MOVE
Nikola Kolarov, who manages the affairs of Vasilije Kostov is said to have given Inter the green light to move ahead and land the signature of the player.
And it could take in excess of €20 million to secure the deal, as Red Star Belgrade General Director Zvezdan Terzic confirmed they had already received bids in that region from unnamed European sides.
Former Man City fullback Aleksandar Kolarov, who is an assistant coach at the Nerazzurri is also particularly thrilled with Kostov, and wants the club to wrap up the potential deal.
Kostov made his senior team debut for Serbia against Albania last year November, and has been tipped to have an exceptional international career.
Having already earned comparisons with Barcelona's star Pedri, Kostov came through the youth ranks at Red Star before making his senior team debut in the Serbian top flight in April 2025.
With two goals from six outings in the Europa League this season, he has also directly contributed to 15 goals (9 goals, 6 assists) in 23 domestic appearances, including a goal and an assist against bitter rivals Partizan 3-0 last weekend.
Since he broke loose from the shackles of long hours huddled up in a hot classroom learning Mandarin Chinese and Pinyin at the famous Confucius Institute, UNIZIK, Emmanuel Chinaza has embraced sports and football in particular, and it helped that he grew up in the football-crazy city of Anambra.