German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig is reportedly in discussions with Aston Villa regarding the future of defender Kosta Nedeljkovic. Leipzig, where Nedeljkovic is currently on loan, is exploring whether Aston Villa would be willing to sell the player for a fee lower than the figure initially agreed upon in the loan deal.
Nedeljkovic joined Leipzig on a loan spell during the winter transfer window earlier this year. This agreement included an option for the German club to make the move permanent. The purchase option was set at €10.5 million, potentially rising by a further €4.5 million in add-ons. RB Leipzig has been considering whether to activate this clause.
While the club values Nedeljkovic`s abilities, there has been some hesitation regarding committing to the full financial outlay required to secure his services permanently.
According to reports, RB Leipzig is now in direct contact with Aston Villa to negotiate a potential reduction in the transfer fee for Nedeljkovic. The two clubs are said to be actively discussing the situation, with Leipzig hoping to convince Villa to accept a price lower than the stipulated clause amount. Another possibility being explored is agreeing to alternative terms, although the specifics of such an arrangement are not yet clear.
Despite a challenging league campaign that saw them miss out on European qualification for next season, it is understood that the Bundesliga club remains keen on keeping Kosta Nedeljkovic at the club beyond his current loan spell.
The 19-year-old Serbian right-back featured in ten Bundesliga matches for Leipzig during the recent season. He notably started in a Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich which ended in a 3-3 draw, and his presence is credited with adding a degree of defensive solidity to the German side. RB Leipzig suffered only three defeats in the ten league fixtures in which the Aston Villa loanee participated.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa is reportedly looking to generate funds to ensure compliance with the Premier League`s financial regulations, especially after narrowly missing out on Champions League football for the upcoming season. Selling Nedeljkovic could potentially help Unai Emery`s side meet their financial objectives. However, the final terms and details of any potential deal to keep him at RB Leipzig are yet to be finalized.
