Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on the signing of Red Star Belgrade teenager Kosta Nedeljkovic.
The 18-year-old is a product of the Red Star academy and made his senior debut for the club in August, featuring as a second-half substitute in a Serbian top-flight win over Napredak.
Nedeljkovic has since made 18 first-team appearances for Red Star in all competitions this season, including four outings in the Champions League group stage – one against holders Manchester City in December.
The right-back has seemingly caught the eye of Unai Emery, as journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Aston Villa are edging closer to signing the Serbia Under-19s international for €9m (£7.7m).
Talks are said to be at the final stages between both parties and Nedeljkovic is expected to return to Red Star on loan for the rest of the season.
Emery is currently using Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash at right-back, while Callum Chambers has been told that he is free to leave Villa Park as he is deemed surplus to requirements.
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Dropping down into the Championship and Southampton have reportedly agreed to sign Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell on loan.
The 29-year-old has struggled to cement his place in Andoni Iraola's side so far this season and has not started a Premier League game since the end of August.
Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, Alex Scott and Philip Billing have all been preferred in centre-midfield to Rothwell, who has started just five of his 13 appearances for the Cherries in all competitions this term.
According to the Bournemouth Daily Echo, Rothwell is currently undergoing a medical ahead of completing a loan move to fellow South Coast club Southampton.
The report adds that there is no option or obligation for the loan move to be made permanent in the summer.
Should Rothwell finalise his temporary switch to the Saints, he will be hoping to gain regular first-team football for a side vying for promotion to the top flight, with Russell Martin's side currently sitting third in the Championship table after 27 matches.
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Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are reportedly in talks with Genk to discuss the availability of right-back Daniel Munoz.
The Colombia international has spent the last three-and-a-half years with the Belgian club, contributing with 19 goals and 20 assists in 147 appearances across all tournaments.
Munoz is facing an uncertain future with Genk, though, as he has entered the final six months of his contract, although he is understood to have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are in the market for a new right-back and have made an enquiry to Genk for 27-year-old Munoz.
Genk are said to value Munoz in the region of £10m, a figure that is unlikely to discourage the Eagles in their pursuit of the defender.
Palace captain Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne have both featured regularly at right-back under Roy Hodgson so far this season, but both players are out of contract in June.
Oliver Thomas
