Coventry City’s pursuit of Marko Stamenic has hit a snag as it has been confirmed that the talented midfielder has been snatched up by Nottingham Forest. The 22-year-old New Zealand international recently signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Premier League club before being promptly loaned out to Olympiacos, a Greek club owned by Forest’s management, for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

Initial reports suggested that Stamenic was on the verge of joining Coventry City on a four-year contract with a transfer fee of £4.2 million, along with a 10% sell-on clause for his former club, Red Star Belgrade. Stamenic’s impressive performances last season, where he featured 35 times for Red Star including in the UEFA Champions League, played a pivotal role in securing the Serbian SuperLiga and Serbian Cup double for his team.

Despite being a key figure for Red Star, the midfielder is now set to embark on a new chapter with Nottingham Forest. The official announcement on Forest’s website expressed their excitement over acquiring Stamenic’s services, highlighting his experience in top European leagues such as Denmark and Serbia. Stamenic previously showcased his talent at Copenhagen, contributing to their Danish Cup triumph before making a move to Belgrade.

Forest’s acquisition of the promising midfielder marks a significant coup for the club as they aim to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. Stamenic’s international pedigree for New Zealand, with 15 caps to his name, further adds to his allure as a valuable asset for his new team.