Arsenal and Chelsea in talks with football's next superstar midfielder

Tom Weber

Updated: 9 Feb 2026 16:05 GMT
4 min read

Aleksandar Stankovic, Club Brugge, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Arsenal and Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Club Brugge wonderkid Aleksandar Stankovic, according to Belgian media.

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The 20-year-old is enjoying a real breakout season in the Jupiler Pro League after leaving boyhood club Inter for Club Brugge. Stankovic, the son of Inter legend Dejan, has been sensational this term.

The youngster has scored seven goals and provided four assists from his midfield position in 37 games across all competitions so far. After producing a Man of the Match performance against Marseille in the Champions League, transfer insider Matteo Moretto revealed that Man Utd have been keenly scouting him in recent months.

Current ETV

Aleksandar Stanković

DM, M (C)

Brugge

Aleksandar Stanković

DM, M (C)

Brugge

ETV Range

€16.9M - €20.6M

However, the Red Devils are far from his only admirers. According to HLN, Arsenal and Chelsea are also in contact with Jay-Z's Roc Nation, the agency that represents Stankovic as well as other superstars like Vinicius Jr, Kevin De Bruyne and now also Yan Diomande.

It is claimed that there has also been initial contact with Club Brugge to sound out a potential transfer. Like Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea will also have to reckon with the fact that Inter control Stankovic's future.

Stankovic won't come cheap

Inter had the foresight to include a buy-back clause in his contract when they sold the midfielder to Brugge for just €9.5 million last year. This clause, valid between 1-15 June, stands at €23m in 2026 and €25m in 2027.

Given his performances this season, it is not out of the question that the Serie A leaders bring him back in the summer. However, even if they opt against exercising the clause, they will complicate matters for English suitors.

In addition to the buy-back option, Inter retain a hefty sell-on percentage that entitles them to half of the profit Brugge make on Stankovic. Accordingly, the Belgian giants will demand a fee well in excess of the measly €23m on the open market.

Because of these circumstances, it is possible, perhaps even likely, that Stankovic could become Brugge's new record sale. Their most-expensive sale to date was Charles de Ketelaere, who fetched €37.5m when he joined AC Milan in 2022.

Stankovic's Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has risen sharply this season and currently stands at €18.7m.

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