Chelsea are reportedly among the clubs vying for one of Europe’s hottest young talents, Andrija Maksimovic – dubbed the “Serbian Messi” – but snapping him up won’t come cheap.

TEAMtalk has revealed that the Blues, along with Liverpool, have shown serious interest in the 17-year-old sensation from Red Star Belgrade, who has lit up the Serbian league this season.

With 12 goal contributions in just 16 appearances, Maksimovic has demonstrated versatility and flair, playing as a number 10, central midfielder, and winger.

His performances have not only attracted Chelsea’s scouts but also caught the eye of other European giants like Manchester City, Juventus, and Bundesliga clubs. It’s no surprise that the Serbian wonderkid is turning heads, with many tipping him to one day play for Real Madrid.

But it seems Red Star Belgrade are determined not to let their prized asset go easily. Maksimovic recently signed a new contract with Red Star in September, binding him to the club until June 2027, which puts them in a solid position to demand a significant transfer fee. They believe in his future potential and have no intention of letting him leave without proper compensation.

Maksimovic’s confidence is also clear. Before facing Barcelona in the Champions League, he boldly declared he would prove himself superior to Barcelona’s young star, Lamine Yamal. Though Red Star fell to a 5-2 defeat, Maksimovic’s fearlessness only underscores the self-belief that fuels his ambitions.

As Chelsea continue to scout the best young talents around the world, Maksimovic would undoubtedly bring creativity and skill to Stamford Bridge. However, it’s clear that any club hoping to land the “Serbian Messi” will need to be ready to invest significantly.