Aston Villa could recall Kosta Nedeljkovic from his loan at RB Leipzig and send him to Fiorentina instead.placeholder image
Aston Villa could recall Kosta Nedeljkovic from his loan at RB Leipzig and send him to Fiorentina instead. | Getty Images
The latest transfer news on deadline day as Aston Villa look to sanction two loans to Italian clubs.
Aston Villa are reportedly considering recalling Kosta Nedeljkovic from his loan spell at RB Leipzig and sending him elsewhere.
Nedeljkovic could join Fiorentina
Iling-Junior may not be the only Villan heading to Italy, as Sky Germany journalist Philipp Hinze reports ‘talks are ongoing’ over Nedeljkovic joining Fiorentina for the rest of the season. The 20-year-old, who cost Villa around £8 million from Red Star Belgrade in January 2024, has played just five times for Leipzig in the Bundesliga this campaign.
Leipzig loaned Nedeljkovic for the second half of last season, too, and the Serbia international had an option to buy clause included in that deal. But the German Bundesliga side opted against activating that clause and instead asked for the promising defender on another loan.
Nedeljkovic hasn’t lived up to expectations at Red Bull Arena and his loan is now set to be terminated, as long as there’s some positive progression in talks with Fiorentina. The hours are ticking down on deadline day to get a deal done, but it’s possible it can be done in time. Hinze says that Fiorentina are ‘stepping up their efforts’ to land Nedeljkovic, who has played 10 times for Villa.
Emery says Villa done in transfer market
In terms of incomings, it’s highly unlikely that Villa will get anything done before the 7pm deadline as there simply aren’t the right opportunities in the market.
Villa’s lack of financial muscle has been well documented by us and others, and not only throughout this transfer window. There has been a constant need to at least break even for several successive seasons, preventing Villa from properly competing in the market. This January has been no different.
Villa have made only three signings for the first team in Alysson, Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz, while £10 million wonderkid Brian Madjo has been added to the academy. And that will be it, if Emery’s understanding 26 hours before the window slams shut was correct.
Birmingham World asked Emery directly if he expects there to be any movement in the market before the deadline and his response was brutally honest and straight to the point. “Not. Definitely not,” Emery said.
Then, when asked if he wishes he was going to be busier than he expects, Emery added: “I think it’s clear, no? We don’t have a lot of possibilities or opportunities to do something improving now. We did everything we were planning. I’m sorry, it’s completely done, I think, the transfer window for us.”
On any potential outgoings, including for Harvey Elliott whose loan from Liverpool remains in limbo, Emery said: “We have this issue, tomorrow is the deadline. There was nothing changing before today.”
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