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“Received an offer” – Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Dortmund tracking Vasilije Kostov
Arsenal have reportedly started tracking a sensational young midfielder, with multiple clubs in Europe also showing an interest.
Arteta leading Arsenal’s next generation
Into what marks his seventh year as manager of the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s revitalisation of the club has not been limited to just the first-team.
Since the Spaniard took over, he has repeatedly shown faith in Arsenal’s famous Hale End academy. Talents such as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri have all been integrated, at points, into Arteta’s squad. It is a testament to the academy’s calibre that other graduates in recent years, like Folarin Balogun, Mika Biereth and Omari Hutchinson, had to find their success away from North London.
Arsenal’s “future captain” needs to follow Ethan Nwaneri out the exit door
Like Nwaneri, it would be in the Arsenal star’s best interests.
With one eye on winning silverware now and another on building for the future, Arsenal are continuing to stock their academy with exciting prospects. In December 2025, the club struck a deal with Independiente del Valle that will see highly-rated Ecuadorian twins Holger and Edwin Quintero join Arsenal in the summer of 2027.
As Romano noted, Arsenal have a “long-term project to bring in the best talents.” In keeping with this philosophy, it is hardly surprising that the Gunners are continuing to monitor some of the most promising youngsters in world football.
Arsenal start tracking midfielder Kostov
According to football.london, Arsenal sent scouts to watch Red Star Belgrade midfielder Vasilije Kostov against Malmo in the Europa League this week.
Despite being just 17 years old, Kostov has already been capped by the Serbian national team.
Making his senior debut for Red Star last year, Kostov has enjoyed a breakout 2025/26 campaign, scoring seven goals and notching five assists in 25 games across all competitions. Such form has seen him dubbed the “Serbian Pedri”.
Arsenal are one of many European juggernauts to be keeping tabs on Kostov, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both reportedly admirers of him. As per football.london, Zvezdan Terzic, General Director of Red Star Belgrade, confirmed that a number of clubs around the continent have shown an interest in the midfielder, and one mystery suitor has even made a bid.
“I can’t talk about exactly who has called but we have already received an offer worth €20 million (£17.45 million).”
Kostov is a player who, seemingly, is destined for the highest level. Terzic believes that the teenager could play for “one of the big six clubs” in the Premier League, whilst midfielder and teammate Timi Max Elsnik has said before that Kostov has “top level” potential.
Whether a move materialises remains to be seen, particularly given how much interest there is in Kostov from elsewhere. The Serbian, though, would be an incredible addition for Arteta and one that fits the club’s desire to recruit for the future.
