New Zealand international midfielder Marko Stamenić declined the chance to play in the English Championship, the general manager of his current club says.
Mozzart Sport quotes Red Star Belgrade’s Zvezdan Terzic as saying: “We had an agreement with Coventry, but we did not sign. He (Stamenic) did not accept the Championship.”
Without naming Nottingham Forest, Terzic said: “He wants to go to the Premier League. A club contacted us; we negotiated, I hope we will sign a transfer contract with Stamenić and a club from the Premier League for compensation from 5,500,000 euros (NZ$9.6 million).”
Main photo: Marko Stamenic … two English clubs reportedly chasing his signature.
The European transfer window opened on Saturday June 15, 2024 (NZT) and reports have linked Stamenic (22) with moves to Coventry City and Nottingham Forest, where he could potentially join New Zealand teammate Chris Wood.
The speculation began in early June with Serbian media claiming Coventry City had already clinched a deal for Stamenić with a reported four-year deal and a transfer fee of NZ$8.8 million with a 10% sell-on fee for the player’s present club, FC Crvena Zvezda (Red Star).
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In mid-June, The Athletic reported Forest were “working on a deal with Red Star Belgrade”.
“If everything goes according to plan, he is expected to join Olympiacos on a season-long loan, similar to other arrangements in the Evangelos Marinakis operation, with the Greek billionaire owning both clubs,” The Athletic reported.
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Neither Coventry City nor Nottingham Forest have made any public comment so far.
Wellington-born Stameniċ played his youth football for Western Suburbs before heading overseas in 2020 for his first professional contract with Danish Superliga club Copenhagen.
He joined Crvena Zvezda on a free transfer in 2023, playing 35 games in their recently-completed season, scoring two goals and being credited with one assist. He helped them achieve a league-cup double.
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