Manchester City are reportedly keeping tabs on the progress of Bojan Kovacevic, having scouted the 17-year-old Serbian prodigy recently.
According to a report by Mozzart Sport, Bojan Kovacevic is the subject of interest from Manchester City over a potential move in a future transfer window. The Premier League champions and several other clubs had scouts in attendance to watch the 17-year-old Serbian prodigy in action recently.
Bojan Kovacevic joined FK Cukaricki at the under-17 level two years ago, departing Partizan Belgrade in a brave decision to leave one of the biggest clubs in Serbia. However, the short move across Belgrade has worked wonders for his career, with the teenage prodigy making swift progress through the ranks at the club.
Such was the impression Kovacevic made in the youth setup at Cukaricki that he has broken into the first-team squad in just two years. While the 17-year-old is still primarily assigned to the Under-19 side, he has rapidly left a mark to such an extent that he has started and completed the entire ninety minutes in five of the last six leagues games that Cukaricki have played.
The Serbian prodigy’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Manchester City among the clubs to have set their sights on him. In fact, as per the report, the Premier League champions were one of five clubs across Europe that had scouts in attendance in Cukaricki’s recent game against FK Proleter.
#SerbskaPiłka
Najnowszą młodą rewelacją Superligi jest 17 letni Bojan Kovačević. Środkowy obrońca Čukaričkiego zagrał już w 5 meczach, w których rozegrał 450 minut. Rocznik 2004 grający na takiej pozycji w seniorach musi budzić podziw. Już obserwuje go Manchester City. pic.twitter.com/PvAPbDik8G— Przemek Siemieniako ????? (@PrzemekSiemanko) October 26, 2021
As things stand, Manchester City appear to be simply tracking the progress of Kovacevic. However, the 17-year-old could prove to be a viable target to slot directly into the first-team setup at the Etihad, considering Fernandinho is in the twilight of his career.
With Rodri already a big part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, Kovacevic could initially become an understudy to the Spanish international before eventually competing for the first-choice berth. The 17-year-old can also play as a centre-back, although it might be prudent of Manchester City to groom him as a holding midfielder.
Signing him will not cost a bomb either, unlike what is the case for several prodigies that rapidly make their name in a first-team setting at a nascent age. Indeed, as per the report, Cukaricki will only demand around €5 million for the Serbian whizkid, further making him an appealing target.
However, with competition for his signature proving to be intense, Manchester City will need to move quickly to secure his services, provided they end up firming up their interest in him. Apart from Kovacevic, though, there are several other midfielders on Manchester City’s radar, with Sergi Roberto, Denis Zakaria and Frenkie de Jong among those linked.
