Manchester United are interested in Partizan Belgrade defender Svetozar Markovic.
It is understood Serbian scout Budimir Vujacic has contacted Partizan on behalf of United to register their interest in 18-year-old Markovic after he made his career debut last month.
Centre-back Markovic, who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, only made his Partizan bow in February's Europa League round-of-32 defeat to Viktoria Plzen. He has started Partizan's last two Superliga matches and has also figured at right-back during his fledgling career under former Valencia manager Miroslav Djukic.
Markovic has already captained Serbia at youth level, having represented the Under-16s and U17s, and stands at just over six foot. United's interest in Markovic comes after the MEN revealed they had agreed on a deal to sign Polish teenager Lukasz Bejger, who had a trial at Carrington last year.
Scout Vujacic was previously responsible for Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic's moves from Partizan to United in 2009.
Tosic only managed five substitute appearances and United controversially pulled out of a deal for Ljajic amid contradictory statements made by the club and Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Mike Phelan.
In 2015, United terminated Serbian teenage goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic's contract just 18 months after he signed for the club.
Milinkovic-Savic, brother of Lazio midfielder Sergej, had not qualified for a work permit since he was a non-EU player.
"I had to go back to Manchester, but there is a problem with a work permit in England," said. "The case dragged on, unfortunately. I couldn't find a club where I could be loaned to. I decided to terminate the contract with Manchester United. I am glad that I was able to come to an agreement with Lechia." Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is now at Torino.
Nemanja Vidic and Nemanja Matic are the only Serbians who have started in the United first-team.
Metro
0 Comments