New league MVP and Man Utd transfer targets – Three Serbian talents to keep an eye on in 2026

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The Serbian Super liga may not be one of the most successful or biggest leagues in European football, but in recent years a number of exciting young prospects have departed its ranks to make the move to the continent’s big leagues. Whether it be Veljko Milosavljevic’s move to Bournemouth, Andrija Maksimovic’s move to RB Leipzig or Nasser Djiga’s transfer to Marseille, Serbian football is enjoying something of a renaissance in terms of the production of exciting, young players. And following Transfermarkt’s market value update of the nation’s top-flight this week, we’ve uncovered three more prospects that seem destined for the bright lights of the Premier League, Bundesliga or elsewhere in the coming years.

Stefan Bukinac – Vojvodina

The first name on our three-man shortlist is Vojvodina left-back Stefan Bukinac. In the most recent market value update of the Serbian top-flight, Bukinac received an impressive €2 million increase in market value – the second highest among all defenders in the division and raising his market value to €5m. Bukinac’s new market value makes him the most valuable player at his club despite only being 20 years of age and it’s not hard to see why.

After flying through his club’s youth team as an outstanding wing-back talent that bagged 10 assists in just 28 games for the U-19 team, Bukinac has since established himself in the first team and bagged an impressive three assists from left-back in 18 league games. Such performances at youth level led to Bukinac being heavily linked with a move to Bologna and Red Star Belgrade a few years ago, but it seems almost certain that his ability to thrive at senior level with as much attacking intent and skill on the left flank will lead to other bigger clubs taking a closer look at him in 2026.

 
Ognjen Ugresic – Partizan

The second of our three Serbian talents to keep an eye on in 2026 is none other than Ognjen Ugresic. The Partizan central midfielder broke into the first team of the Belgrade club last season after bagging an impressive nine goals and five assists in 41 games for the club’s U-19 team. This season has seen Ugresic undoubtedly nail down a starting role for Partizan, where he has played predominantly through the middle of the pitch as a No.8 or a No.10. With outstanding dribbling skills and an evident eye for goal, Ugresic has bagged eight goals and three assists from midfield this season, which has led to him getting €3m increase in market value in Transfermarkt’s most recent market value update.

Rumour

O. Ugresic Central Midfield Partizan U19 ? Man Utd Omladinska liga Srbije Premier League

Such performances in the Serbian top-flight led to Ugresic getting a call up to the Serbian national team in October, when he came on during his nation’s 3-1 win over Andorra. That, unsurprisingly, has led to Ugresic quickly being linked with moves to bigger clubs, with reports in England suggesting that Manchester United have sent scouts to watch the player and been impressed with the young Serbian talent that has drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba and Jude Bellingham.

Vasilije Kostov – Red Star Belgrade

Last but certainly not least on our list is Red Star central midfielder Vasilije Kostov. One year ago Kostov was scoring goals for fun in Red Star’s U19 team – he bagged an incredible 15 goals in 31 games from midfield in all competitions – and performing admirably for the Serbian U19 team. Fast forward 12 months and he’s quickly become the most remarkable talent in all of Serbian football.

After breaking into the first team in April of this year, Kostov’s market value has skyrocketed from an initial €500k to an impressive €10m – with the 17-year-old talent getting a notable €6.5m increase in market value in the recent market value update to become the league’s most valuable player. Whether played as a right winger or through the middle as a No.8 or No.10, Kostov has thrived in Red Star’s first team, bagging six goals and five assists in just 21 games this season. At this moment in time no big clubs have been seriously linked with a move for the young talent, but if Kostov continues to thrive in Belgrade then he’ll almost certainly be on the move in 2026.