Balkan prodigy Kostov ignites Arsenal-Dortmund transfer duel

Arsenal and Dortmund chase Balkan prodigy Kostov

Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are locking horns to sign Vasilije Kostov, the 17-year-old midfielder from Red Star Belgrade, after one club tabled a formal bid worth €20 million, according to club CEO Zvezdan Terzić.

According to FourFourTwo, Kostov, nicknamed the “Balkan Barella” for his style resembling Nicolò Barella of Inter Milan and the Italian national team, is enjoying a breakout season with five goals and five assists in the Serbian league, plus two goals in three Europa League games against Porto and Malmö. He recently made his international debut for Serbia and won’t turn 18 until the end of the season.

Arsenal, renowned for scouting and signing young talents, sent scouts to watch the player during Red Star’s match against Malmö, where he scored the winning goal.

However, Brexit rules prevent transfers of players under 18 to the English league before next summer, which means no deal in January.

Meanwhile, other clubs have shown interest, notably Dortmund and Bayern Munich, intensifying the chase to sign him. Analysts say the Bundesliga could be a more suitable environment for his gradual development, while the Premier League might tempt him with substantial contracts.

Kostov looks set to become Serbia’s next big football breakthrough, as he features regularly and influences games, making him a likely target for Europe’s top clubs in the upcoming transfer window.

Punchline 1: He’s so young that even his transfer fee needs a mortgage.
Punchline 2: If he lands in the Premier League, the calendar will finally learn to pronounce “Kostov” without a translator.