Transfermarkt Shortlist
©IMAGO
While the Serbian Super Liga may not rank among the largest or most celebrated leagues in European football, it has recently produced a wave of promising young talents who have made their way to bigger leagues across the continent. Notable transfers include Veljko Milosavljevic to Bournemouth, Andrija Maksimovic to RB Leipzig, and Nasser Djiga to Marseille, indicating a renaissance for Serbian football as it continues to develop exciting, young players. Following Transfermarkt’s recent market value update for the country’s top league, we’ve identified three additional prospects poised for potential moves to the Premier League, Bundesliga, or other top leagues in the coming years.
Stefan Bukinac – Vojvodina
First on our shortlist is Stefan Bukinac, a talented left-back from Vojvodina. His latest market value update revealed an impressive €2 million increase, bringing his value to €5 million—making him the most valuable player at his club despite being only 20 years old. This increase is well-deserved.
Bukinac excelled in Vojvodina’s youth setup, notably racking up 10 assists in just 28 matches for the U-19 team. He has since become a key player in the first team, contributing three assists in 18 league appearances from the left-back position. His outstanding performances have drawn interest from clubs in the past, including Bologna and Red Star Belgrade, and it’s likely that bigger clubs will take an interest in him by 2026 due to his attacking prowess and skill on the left flank.
Ognjen Ugresic – Partizan
Another Serbian talent to watch is Ognjen Ugresic from Partizan. The central midfielder made his first-team debut last season after an impressive campaign with the U-19 team, scoring nine goals and providing five assists across 41 matches. This season, he has secured a starting position within the Partizan squad, often playing as a No. 8 or No. 10. Known for his exceptional dribbling ability and goal-scoring potential, Ugresic has already netted eight goals and offered three assists this season, resulting in a €3 million bump in his market value.
His remarkable performances have earned him a place in the Serbian national team, where he debuted in October during a 3-1 victory over Andorra. This has led to mounting interest from larger clubs, with reports indicating that scouts from Manchester United have been following him closely, as he has drawn comparisons to stars like Paul Pogba and Jude Bellingham.
Vasilije Kostov – Red Star Belgrade
Lastly, we have Vasilije Kostov, a central midfielder for Red Star Belgrade. One year ago, he was an emerging star in the U-19 squad, banging in an impressive 15 goals in 31 games, while also performing well for the Serbian U-19 team. Fast forward a year, and Kostov has quickly emerged as one of Serbia’s most exciting talents.
Since making his first-team breakthrough in April, Kostov’s market value has soared from €500k to an impressive €10 million, reflecting a remarkable €6.5 million increase in the latest valuation. Whether he plays as a right winger or in the midfield as a No. 8 or No. 10, Kostov has been dazzling in the first team, contributing six goals and five assists in just 21 matches. While no major clubs have yet made a serious move for the youngster, he is likely to attract attention if he maintains his current form in Belgrade, especially by 2026.
