Zvezda Preparing for the Transfer Window, but Must Wait for Developments Around Mimović and Terzić

Crvena zvezda is entering the summer transfer window with a clear idea of what it needs for next season, but also with a problem that keeps repeating itself at Marakana year after year — the players the club wants often wait for offers from stronger leagues or financially more powerful environments.

Although the club’s current focus is on the Mozzart Bet Cup final and the chance to win a sixth consecutive domestic double, the sporting department is already working intensively on refreshing the squad. After the match against Čukarički, head coach Dejan Stanković said that a lot of work is being done away from the public eye, while noting that not all names have reached the media.

However, the reality is that Crvena zvezda is not in a position to immediately complete the deals it wants. The players the club sees as reinforcements for European challenges usually first wait for the possibility of moving to one of the “top five leagues,” Turkey, or Saudi Arabia. Because of that, the Red and Whites will, by all indications, once again have to be patient this summer, even though the early start of the qualifiers means it would suit them best for reinforcements to arrive in the first half of June.

One of the names that fits into Zvezda’s plans is Ognjen Mimović. He is well known at Marakana, and the club believes he could currently be a quality solution at right-back. This is especially true because of the uncertainty surrounding the future of South Korea international Jung Woo-seol, who has a release clause of €5.5 million. If a club from Western Europe activates that option, Zvezda will have to react quickly.

Mimović has gone through a turbulent period over the past year. After an excellent six months in the Red and White shirt, he moved to Fenerbahçe, but he did not stay there because of restrictions on the number of foreign players. Loan spells followed, first at Zenit and then at Greek side Pafos, so it can be said that he did not have the kind of season he had hoped for.

Still, Zvezda cannot make an immediate move for him. Fenerbahçe is once again going through major changes — a new head coach and sporting director are expected to arrive, while Zeki Murat is currently only an interim solution following the departure of Domenico Tedesco. Only once the new people at the club assess whether they are counting on Mimović will there be room for potential negotiations. A loan with an option to buy seems possible, but not something that can happen quickly.

A similar, though somewhat simpler, situation is linked to Aleksa Terzić. Salzburg wants to part ways with the Serbian left-back, and Crvena zvezda is monitoring the situation and is interested in bringing him back. However, concrete steps will depend on how the situation develops with the current left-backs at Marakana.

First, the club is waiting for the possible departure of Nair Tiknizyan or Adem Avdić. Tiknizyan could bring in around €5 million, which would be an excellent deal for Zvezda considering he was signed for less than €2 million. On the other hand, an offer from the Premier League is expected for Avdić, but the club’s management, led by Zvezdan Terzić, has taken a firm stance and is demanding as much as €20 million. Whether that figure is achievable remains to be seen, but Zvezda clearly does not want to rush.

So, once again, the summer at Marakana will be marked by waiting, tactics, and discreet work behind the scenes. The plan exists, the priorities have been defined, but the final moves will depend on the market, departures from the squad, and the decisions of the clubs that currently hold the rights to the desired players. The Red and Whites hope that this time they will not miss out on players of the profile they had previously identified, such as Florian Grillitsch.