I hope he does well’ – Manager suggests Coventry City’s swoop for 22-year-old is done
Coventry City appear to have sealed the signing of Marko Stamenic with Red Star Belgrade boss Nenad Milijas wishing him well with the Sky Blues.
Coventry City have spent well in the past two transfer windows, with eye-catching sales of Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer funding notable investment into the playing squad.
While purchases might not be quite so lucrative this year, the Sky Blues are still likely to spend as the look to break back into the Championship promotion picture.
The window doesn’t open until Friday, but plenty of speculation has already circulated over potential additions. One man heavily linked has been Marko Stamenic, and it looks as though a move is on the cards.
Speaking to Serbian news outlet Zurnal (quotes via Coventry Live), Red Star Belgrade boss Nenad Milijas has spoken openly about Stamenic’s move to Coventry City, suggesting that the move is as good as done.
He backed the New Zealand international to settle quickly and succeed in the Championship, saying:
“Stamenic is a quality player who showed quality at the beginning and end of his stay at the Maracana. I hope he does well in Coventry.
“Marko is not from our climate and I believe that he will fit in very quickly. I mean the language, his mother tongue is English, that’s why he is totally prepared.
Time will tell
It is worth nothing that local outlet Coventry Live have been slightly more reserved over their coverage of the rumoured pursuit for Stamenic. They stated he is someone that Coventry City hold a firm interest in, but at no point have they said a deal is done.
That is the energy that comes from the selling side of the deal though. Reports in Serbia first said an agreement had been reached and now, the Red Star boss has openly suggested he’ll be heading to the CBS Arena.
With the transfer window opening on Friday, perhaps it won’t be long before the Championship club confirm the addition of Stamenic.
Regardless, it looks as though he’s backed to find success on these shores a move away from the Serbian club awaits the midfielder.
Midfielders needed
The midfield is an area Coventry City will be looking to bolster this summer, so Stamenic’s arrival will be a welcome one if he does end up joining the club.
Long-serving fan favourite officially departs for Rotherham United at the end of his contract and Ben Sheaf has been heavily linked with a move up to the Premier League.
If he was to head elsewhere, Mark Robins would be left with Josh Eccles, Victor Torp and Jamie Allen as options in the middle. Youngsters Ryan Howley and Kai Andrews have been in and around the first-team, but reinforcements are sure to be eyed.
The signing of Stamenic would be a strong one, so it remains to be seen if a deal is indeed done.
