Arsenal tracking wonderkid dubbed 'Balkan Barella' as club president details £17m transfer bid

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal scouts are tracking FK Crvena Zvezda teenager Vasilije Kostov, who is also being monitored by a host of other top European clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich

Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund will have scouts in Sweden tonight to cast an eye over 17-year-old FK Crvena Zvezda midfielder Vasilije Kostov in the Europa League against Malmo.

Kostov, who has already been capped by the Serbia national team, has been dubbed the 'Serbian Pedri' and 'Balkan Barella' due to his technical quality and ability to excel in multiple midfield roles.

Speaking exclusively to football.london, Red Star Belgrade General Director Zvezdan Terzic confirmed there is interest from a wealth of top European clubs.

Terzic said: "I can't talk about exactly who has called but we have already received an offer worth €20million (£17.45million) for him."

When asked whether Kostov had what it takes to play in the Premier League, Terzic replied without hesitation: "Of course but not just any team, he could play for one of the big six clubs."

It's understood Bayern Munich are one of the sides to have already contacted Red Star Belgrade to informally enquire.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play a deeper role or out wide, has already made 24 appearances in all competitions to date during his breakthrough season, scoring six goals including one against Porto.

Kostov is not expected to move clubs in January, however, and looks likely to remain with his boyhood side until at least the end of the season.

Team-mate and midfield partner Timi Max Elsnik, who starred at Euro 2024 with Slovenia, also told football.london that Kostov has all the tools to become a world-beater, stating: "He is already very good and can be a player for top level if he keeps progressing and developing."

The teenage technician arguably already has the perfect mentor in current boss Dejan Stankovic, who won six Serie A titles with two different clubs (Inter Milan and Lazio) plus the Champions League during his playing days.

Now Arsenal have crafted one of the best squads in all of world football, there is greater flexibility to invest in young, promising talent and they've been scanning the market for opportunities.

Republic of Ireland U17 international midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna will join the Gunners in January 2027 once he has turned 18 while the same applies to Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero - they arrive in August 2027 - after a £9million deal was struck with Independiente del Valle.

football.london also reported earlier this week that Mikel Arteta's side were among a list of clubs monitoring 17-year-old Brazilian gem Rafael Belinho, who also qualifies to represent Croatia.

In the past few years, Premier League clubs have also become more attentive to Red Star Belgrade's conveyor belt of talent.

Last January, Wolves signed centre-back Nasser Djiga (on loan at Rangers) and while he endured a tough start to life in English football, he's still only 23.

Red Star's prestigious academy has also produced several gems; centre-back Veljko Milosavljevic joined Bournemouth in the summer for £13million while midfielder Andrija Maksimovic joined RB Leipzig for £12million.

Right-back Ognjen Mimovic was recruited by Fenerbahce and Aston Villa also swooped to sign another full-back Kosta Nedlejkovic (on loan at Leipzig) for £8million plus add-ons in January 2024.