Expert insight from Serbia
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As the 2025/26 season draws to its frantic conclusion, the summer transfer window begins to come into focus. One of the most exciting aspects of every window is club’s pursuit of the next wonderkid, and there is an extremely exciting teenage talent emerging in Belgrade. Red Star’s 17-year-old midfielder Vasilije Kostov is attracting plenty of suitors after his exciting first-team displays this season. He has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists and already has a market value of €18m – making him the fourth most valuable 17 year old in world football.
According to reports in Serbia, backed up by transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Premier League leaders Arsenal are following Kostov and have made contact with people close to the player. They are reportedly considering a move for him as they look to invest in talents and have genuine interest in the player. So just what kind of player is Kostov and what kind of superstar could he turn into? With expert insight from our team in Serbia, we bring you more on the teenage star.
What kind of player is Vasilije Kostov?
Ratko Milicic is one of Transfermarkt’s esteemed Data Scouts in Serbia and has been watching Kostov closely. “He is one of the most exciting young talents in his age group,” reveals Milicic. “He combines strong technical ability with a good understanding of the game, which is quite rare at his stage of development. If he continues to progress in the right environment, his ceiling is very high and he has the potential to develop into a top-level player in European football.” Kostov is already the ninth most valuable Serbian player and could be in line for a further market value increase in the upcoming update.
Arsenal are likely to be on the hunt for at least one midfielder this summer, with an over reliance on Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi this season leading to some fatigue in the run-in. They are also thought to be in the market for a young midfielder to get the average age down in that position. But would Kostov fit into their style of play? “Kostov is a modern, versatile player who is comfortable both in possession and in transition,” explains Milicic. “His main strengths are his technique, vision, and ability to make quick decisions under pressure. He is also confident in one-on-one situations.
Who does Vasilije Kostov play like?
“In terms of weaknesses, like many young players, he still needs to improve his physicality and defensive positioning, but these are areas that can develop with experience.” Kostov could join other young talents who have made an impact on the first-team at Arsenal as a teenager such as Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but its the Gunners captain where comparisons are assembling: “In terms of playing style, he shows similarities to Martin Ødegaard, especially in the way he operates between the lines and contributes creatively. Of course, he is still at an early stage in his career and developing his own identity as a player.”
Player Comparison
€65.00m
Market Value
€150.00m
Attacking Midfield
Position
Central Midfield
30/06/2028
Contract until
30/06/2030
Full Player Comparison
Fellow Transfermarkt Data Scout in Serbia, Miloš Mušić also drew some further comparisons: “Pedri is another common one as both players stand out for their close control, press resistance, and intelligent movement in space. At the same time, Kostov sometimes appears more directly offensive and often looks to finish attacks himself more aggressively. There are also similarities to Bernardo Silva, particularly in his ability to find creative solutions under pressure and use technical precision to escape tight spaces. To some extent, he also resembles a young Luka Modrić”
Will Vasilije Kostov move clubs this summer?
So how likely is Kostov to leave Serbia this summer for London and could other European giants look to compete for his signature? “There is already strong and growing interest in Kostov from several clubs across Europe,” says Milicic. Barcelona have also been heavily linked. “Historically, Red Star have tended to sell their top talents relatively early, so I would expect him to leave as early as this summer. Personally, I would have preferred to see him stay for at least one more season. A full campaign at Red Star, potentially including European football and further integration into the senior national team could have been extremely valuable for his development.”
“Regarding the transfer fee, given his age, potential, and the current market for elite young talents, Red Star would likely seek a fee in the range of approximately €20–30 million,” added Mušić. “If multiple serious suitors emerge, the final package could rise even further through bonuses or sell-on clauses. At present, a transfer package worth around €25 million appears to be the most realistic scenario.”
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