Done deal: Aston Villa strike £12.5m defender exit agreement with Champions League opponents
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Kosta Nedeljkovic has left Aston Villa to join RB Leipzig on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy in the summer.
The right-back signed for Villa last January and only joined up with the senior team in the summer after going back out on loan to his former club, Red Star Belgrade, for the rest of last season. Nedeljkovic has showed signs of great potential but Villa have decided to let him depart, potentially on a permanent basis with the ball now in Leipzig’s court.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdVilla have confirmed Nedeljkovic’s exit, wishing the 19-year-old all the best for the rest of the season as he settles into life in Germany. Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has confirmed Leipzig have the option to purchase the defender in the summer for €15 million (£12.5m).
It’s a substantial enough fee for Villa to have doubled their money in the space of 12 months but it’s always disappointing to see young talent depart. A loan out was always the plan to help Nedeljkovic gain more senior experience but the plan of a permanent exit has only just emerged.
Nedeljkovic has already experienced playing in Leipzig having come off the bench for 19 minutes during Villa’s 3-2 victory away at the German side in the Champions League. The teenager, capable of playing at right midfield as well as right-back, will now compete with the likes of Lukas Klostermann, Lutsharel Geertruida and Ridle Baku for a spot in Leizpig’s starting XI.
Marco Rose’s side are currently fourth in the Bundesliga, battling it out with close chasers VfB Stuttgart and Mainz for a spot in next season’s Champions League. This term’s venture in Europe’s elite competition certainly didn’t go to plan as Leipzig were defeated in seven of their eight Champions League games, knocked out as 32nd-placed finishers in the league phase.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdVilla still targeting defensive addition
Unai Emery wants to bring in a new defender before the end of deadline day but Villa won’t sanction a move just for the sake of it. Chelsea centre-back Axel Disasi agreed personal terms for a six-month loan transfer almost a week ago now but the Blues are reluctant to let a player leave for a direct rival in the Premier League top-four race.
Kevin Danso was a target as the Villans lodged an official enquiry to RC Lens but the Austria international has since signed for Tottenham Hotspur on loan. Danso looked destined for Wolverhampton Wanderers with a medical booked in but Spurs swooped in late, securing a six-month loan with an option to buy for £21 million.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.