Manchester United have reportedly registered their interest in Partizan Belgrade youngster Svetozar Markovic, who has been labelled the new Sergio Ramos.
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are interested in Partizan Belgrade youngster Svetozar Markovic. The young defender has only recently made his senior bow for the Serbian club and is being labelled by the media as the new Sergio Ramos – a high praise for an up-and-coming defender.
Svetozar Markovic has emanated from the Partizan Belgrade youth setup and has managed to finally break into the senior side, with his debut coming in the club’s defeat to Viktoria Plzen in the Round of 32 knockout phase of the UEFA Europa League.
The Serbian youngster has since, managed to start the last two league games for the club, impressing in both the matches as Partizan kept a clean sheet in both of the games. At the international level, Markovic is touted to be a great leader, having already captained Serbia at various youth levels, while representing the nation up till the Under-17 level.
#mufc scouting 18yo #fkpartizan CB Svetozar Markovic – the ‘new Sergio Ramos’ according to Serbian presshttps://t.co/2Ev4doQ4x1 pic.twitter.com/1nvCpubvMg
— Scouts in Attendance (@scoutsattending) March 30, 2018
Coming towards the comparison between Markovic and Sergio Ramos, the youngster, like Ramos, can play both as a centre-back and on the right side of the defence and is thought to be similarly aggressive in his demeanour and when going about his job at the back.
Manchester United are set to clear some deadwood and a few other squad players in what is set to be a summer clearout at Old Trafford.
While Markovic’s pursuit does not necessarily mean Manchester United are looking to add him to the first-team squad, the 18-year-old could serve to boost the Under-23 side and develop at the club before making his senior bow, ultimately, if he manages to impress the coaches and the manager.
It is understood, as per the report, that Manchester United scout Budimir Vujacic, credited with moves for Zoran Tosic and Adam Ljajic – the Red Devils had walked out of the deal for the latter for publicly unknown reasons – has contacted Markovic’s representatives to make them aware of United’s interest in the player.
Markovic must be wary of the history associated with Serbian footballers and Manchester United, with Nemanja Matic and Nemanja Vidic the only two compatriots to have started a game in a United shirt. Tosic had failed to start a single game for the Red Devils and was soon shipped out.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, brother of United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, failed to gain a work-permit and his contract was hence, terminated by the club.
For now, Markovic’s focus should be on making his mark at Partizan Belgrade. But, courting interest from a club like Manchester United, will only see him gain more motivation to work towards his goal of becoming a world class defender in due course, be it at Partizan, Manchester United or some other club.
The next Sergio Ramos or not, we might just be looking at a future Serbian star in Svetozar Markovic, who has just embarked on the aforementioned journey.
