Kostov Back on Inter's Radar: €20M Talks Resume, Cagliari Loan Lined Up

Inter are back in for Red Star Belgrade's Vasilije Kostov, with initial discussions underway for a €20 million deal. The plan? A season at Cagliari, then San Siro in 2027.

The Kostov Saga Continues

Inter's interest in Vasilije Kostov is nothing new. The Nerazzurri agreed personal terms with the Serbian attacking midfielder back in March 2026, beating Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund to the punch. Now, according to the latest reports from Footmercato, Inter have reopened discussions with Red Star Belgrade. The 18-year-old is valued at around €20 million by the Serbian side, and initial talks have begun.

The Cagliari Connection

Here's where it gets interesting. Inter have no intention of keeping Kostov at San Siro next season. The midfield is already stacked with Calhanoglu, Barella, Susic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Frattesi, and the returning Stankovic. Add Curtis Jones to the mix—who's still pushing for a move despite rejecting every other option—and there's simply no room. The plan, as outlined in the user's information, is to send Kostov on loan to Cagliari for the entire 2026/27 season. Given the excellent relationship between Inter and the Sardinian club, this makes perfect sense. Cagliari get a talented young midfielder, Kostov gets Serie A minutes to adapt, and Inter get him back in summer 2027 ready to contribute.

Red Star's €20M Price Tag

Red Star Belgrade CEO Zvezdan Terzic confirmed back in February 2026 that the club had already received a €20 million offer for Kostov, as reported by TeamTalk. That valuation hasn't changed. Kostov had been electric last season, making 37 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and adding seven assists. He's already a full Serbia international with one cap and was part of the 2025 AFCON squad. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €25 million, so Red Star's asking price is actually reasonable.

Why Inter Are Confident

Despite Premier League interest—TeamTalk reported Arsenal were keen, and Kostov himself dreams of playing in England—Inter remain confident. Why? Connections. Kostov's agent, Nikola Kolarov, is the brother of Aleksandar Kolarov, who currently serves as Cristian Chivu's assistant at Inter. On top of that, Inter legend Dejan Stankovic is Red Star's head coach. According to Sports Boom, a "gentleman's agreement" was already in place earlier this year for Kostov to join Inter.

The ForzaIM Take

Sending Kostov to Cagliari for a year is smart business—he gets Serie A experience without the pressure of the San Siro, and we avoid another Primavera logjam. At €20 million for an 18-year-old with 13 goals and seven assists this season, it's a gamble worth taking. If he explodes at Cagliari, we look like geniuses. If he flops, we've got a sell-on clause ready. Either way, it's better than watching Arsenal or Bayern swoop in.

Do you think Inter will complete a deal for Kostov, or is this another rumor-mill scrap being fed to keep the readers engaged?

Forza Inter sempre!