RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose has given an update on whether he sees Aston Villa loanee Kosta Nedeljkovic in his future plans.
During the winter transfer window, the Bundesliga giants completed a surprise loan deal for the Serbia international with the option of a permanent deal.
The 19-year-old had made a total of two starts and eight substitute outings in all competitions for the Premier League outfit during 2024-25.
However, with Unai Emery instead choosing to sign Andres Garcia from Levante as extra competition for the right-back role, the decision was made for Nedeljkovic to move elsewhere.
In the aftermath of the transfer, the youngster indicated that he was relieved to have left the West Midlands due to his lack of game time, but his development has not necessarily progressed in the right direction in Germany.
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What has Rose said on Nedeljkovic?
Just 36 minutes of game time have been earned across three substitute outings in the Bundesliga, Leipzig yet to prevail in a match where Nedeljkovic has featured.
Nevertheless, speaking to reporters, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Rose has suggested that he sees the prospect in his long-term plans.
The 48-year-old said: "He gives Leipzig things that we were still looking for in the squad. Rock solid, technically good, hard working and fighting full-back with great speed who still has great potential for development and yes, I would trust myself to actually throw the boy in from the start.
"We are in the middle of a change that we have been initiating for two years. Kosta is part of it, the boy will be good."
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Villa the main beneficiaries?
Despite their status as a Champions League team, Villa have seemed to be constantly battling with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations over the past nine months.
When signing Nedeljkovic from Red Star Belgrade for £8m, the teenager was viewed as an investment, and a £4m profit will be made if Leipzig activate their £12m buy option for the player.
In the short term at least, that will represent good business for Villa, particularly when there is potential for replacement Garcia to be sold for greater than the £5m fee that was shelled out in January.
There is, of course, the possibility that Nedeljkovic develops into one of the best right-backs in Europe, but game time looked hard to come by with Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi also options for Emery.
Darren Plant
