Serbia’s league kicks off its new season on Saturday, with champions Red Star opening the campaign with a home game against Javor Ivanjica. However, all eyes are currently on a player who isn’t even there yet: Marko Arnautovic.
On Friday, it was announced that Marko Arnautovic would be transferring to Red Star. Since then, newspapers and internet portals have been overflowing with reports about the upcoming transfer. The euphoria is great, as is the surprise – and not just in Serbia. “I didn’t expect that,” Arnautovic’s compatriot Aleksandar Dragovic told Mozzart Sport, adding that he would be “a phenomenal reinforcement” for Red Star and could “play in the Serbian league until he’s 45.” Whether that is a seal of approval for the SuperLiga is open to question.
But Dragovic should know, having played for Red Star himself for three years from 2021 to 2024, where he was also captain. “I expected him to join Rapid,” revealed the 34-year-old, regretting that it will not happen: “It would have been great for the Austrian league and I would have loved to play against him. He chose Red Star, and I’m happy for him. Red Star can challenge for the Champions League with him.”
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The Champions League is also the big goal for the Serbian serial champions, who start their qualifying campaign against Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar on Tuesday (6 p.m.). It remains to be seen whether coach Vladan Milojevic will be able to count on Arnautovic.
Dragovic: “We don’t need to lie to ourselves.”
Dragovic has no doubt that Arnautovic will excel in the Serbian league. “We don’t need to lie to ourselves, the Serbian league is not the same as the Italian or English leagues. With all due respect, and I don’t want to be misunderstood, he can play in the Serbian league until he’s 45.”
With this decision, Arnautovic adds another chapter to his already long and successful career: after Twente Enschede, Werder Bremen, Stoke City, West Ham United, Shanghai Port, FC Bologna and most recently Inter Milan, Belgrade will be his eighth international club. In Milan, Arnautovic was only a substitute last season, but still made 18 appearances in Serie A (4 goals) and seven in the Champions League – his only goal came in a 4-0 win against Red Star.
Nothing was ready to be signed with Rapid
For a long time, Rapid Vienna was considered the hottest contender for the Vienna-born player, although this was apparently hyped up more in the media than was actually the case. Manager and brother Danijel recently told ORF that a contract with Rapid was never ready to be signed. Despite his advanced age as a footballer, Arnautovic had several offers – and Red Star was apparently the most convincing.
The Austrian record international (125 caps, 41 goals) is set to receive five million euros for two years, making him the highest-paid footballer in the history of the Serbian league. Rapid’s offer was significantly lower, at a reported three million euros gross per year. The striker is expected to arrive in Belgrade at the beginning of the week to undergo the mandatory medical examination and then sign a contract.
Other former stars in the sights
In addition to Arnautovic, the Serbian record champions are also working on signing another former star: Dusan Tadic (36), whose contract with Fenerbahce expired in the summer, is said to be at the top of their wish list. Also in the Serbs’ sights: Filip Kostic. The 32-year-old former Frankfurt player most recently played for Fenerbahce Istanbul, like Tadic, but is under contract with Juventus Turin – however, the left-footed player has little sporting prospects at the Old Lady.
