Arsenal set to beat Spurs in race for Serbian star
Published 22:50 02/02/10 By Darren Lewis
Arsene Wenger is interested in highly-rated Serbian centre-half Stefan Savic.
The BSK Borca defender, who has also attracted interest from Spurs and Birmingham, has just undergone a 10-day trial with Arsenal, and Wenger is keen to secure a deal after missing out on Chris Smalling, who instead joined Manchester United.
However, Borca have demanded a fee of around £2.25million, which Arsenal believe is too high.
Talks are continuing between the two clubs but Savic, 19, is set to return to Serbia on Thursday with no deal agreed with Arsenal.
The 6ft 1in central defender said: "There were offers from Tottenham and Birmingham City, but once a call came from Arsenal, I had no more doubts."
He also claimed: "A pre-contract will be signed on Thursday and then I will return to Belgrade and join BSK for their preparations. I will be staying with BSK until May."
Savic made his breakthrough into the BSK Borca side last season making three appearances, and this season he has played seven times and scored in his most recent performance in a 2-0 win over OFK Belgrade.
