Sunderland ‘accept defeat’ as Aleksic exit news emerges from Serbia
Milan Aleksic was signed by Sunderland with a fair amount of expectation resting on his shoulders.
The 19-year-old Serbian midfielder was bought from FK Radnički 1923 for just over £3million last August, making him the club’s second-most expensive signing of that transfer window.
However, there are signs that manager Regis Le Bris is losing faith in him already.
Aleksic could be loaned back out to Serbia
Aleksic made just nine appearances for the Mackems last season, scoring one goal in an FA Cup defeat to Stoke.
A report from Serbian outlet Telegraf (18 June) suggests that Aleksic is set to be offered to Partizan Belgrade on a season-long loan.
If true, it could be seen as a disappointing step backwards for the teenager, given the hype surrounding his transfer last year.
The report suggested that Aleksic had initially been reluctant to return to Serbia, but his stance on this move has softened over time.
It would appear as if Le Bris is happy to send the teenager away for a year in the hope that he continues to develop his potential.
It’s too soon to label Aleksic as a flop
It’s incredibly common for Premier League sides to send out their teenage starlets on loan for the season.
These loan deals allow young players to experience first-team football, develop their mindsets and hopefully ready themselves to become a top-flight star of the future.
Something feels different in the case of Aleksic, though.
Sunderland spent more than £3m on this kid. Le Bris refused to send Aleksic out on loan last season. The manager has tried to bed him into the team, but it hasn’t worked out.
| Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals | Assists |
| 9 | 348 | 1 | 0 |
A move back to his native Serbia would be symbolic too. It’s hardly a high level of football in the Serbian league. Could it be that Le Bris has already decided that he can’t cut it in England?
Aleksic has struggled to learn English. Perhaps it has been too much of a culture shock moving from Belgrade to Sunderland.
It’s too early to call him a flop, but this loan move suggests Sunderland have at this stage accepted defeat.
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