Deal or no deal? Agent Zoran holds the key to Grujic’s Cardiff switch
CARDIFF City remain hopeful of sealing a deal for Marko Grujic this summer, but progress on confirming a second consecutive loan spell in South Wales has so far been frustratingly slow.
Having impressed in his 14 starts for the Bluebirds last season, Grujic has won himself plenty of fans in the Welsh capital, and bringing him back to the club would undoubtedly prove a popular decision.
Boss Neil Warnock’s admiration for the midfielder is clear, although with the transfer window set to close on August 9, he’s now admitted that they may have to look elsewhere.
After watching his Cardiff side hammer minnows Tavistock AFC 6-0 earlier in the week, Warnock said: “I think his agent - as they do - thinks he can try and make more money somewhere else but Liverpool want him to come and I think it’ll be good for him.
“We’ll have to see how it develops. But we won’t wait forever.”
Step forward Zoran Stojadinovic, the man who has seen the ball bounce firmly into his court in terms of where Grujic will end up playing his football next season.
But who exactly is he?
The background
STOJADINOVIC is a name that is unlikely to be too well-known over here, but in Serbia he’s a pretty high-profile figure.
As a player between 1980 and 1993, he played for several clubs across Serbia and Croatia, as well as Rapid Vienna, Real Mallorca and Deportivo La Coruna, whom he helped return to La Liga after an 18-year absence.
His time in Spain laid the foundation for his career as an agent, with his first deal being the one to take Jovan Stankovic from Red Star Belgrade to Real Mallorca back in 1996.
After subsequently spending his years specialising in helping to bring Serbian players to and from Spain, Stojadinovic’s career took something of a twist.
Red Star, one of Serbia’s most famous clubs, came calling looking for a new sporting director, albeit in rather interesting circumstances as Serbian football journalist Milos Markovic explains: “It was in October 2012 when Aleksandar Vucic, leader of the Serbian progressive party called Stojadinovic and told him: you’re the new sports director of Red Star.
“Stojadinovic previously hosted Vucic in Spain, the two were friends and he promised to bring him to help Red Star when they grabbed power after the election.”
Not a bad way to cut your teeth as a negotiator. Now, 57, Stojadinovic still has strong ties with the highest political ranks in Serbia, and was also once a candidate for the FA sports director’s role. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he remains a well-connected figure in football and in politics, both of which have arguably served him well as an agent.
Who else is on his books?
UNKNOWNS mostly. Judging by his portfolio, he seems keen on bringing through the next batch of talented young Serbian players. PERHAPS the closest to Grujic in terms of stature is Predrag Rajkovic, a 22-year-old goalkeeper currently playing for Maccabi Haifa.
How long has he been working with Grujic?
ALMOST from the very beginning. The pair were working together long before Grujic made his first team debut for Red Star back in 2013 and seem to enjoy a good working relationship.
Stojadinovic was widely seen as the main factor in helping to seal a move to the Premier League back in June 2016, and has overseen an impressive trajectory in the 22-year-old’s career.
“Stojadinovic was the one who pushed through his deal to Liverpool in the first place,” Markovic continues.
“He’s taken good care of Grujic thus far from the advisory point of view.”
It’s difficult to really argue with that statement given Grujic’s journey to Anfield, particularly given that he did little to hide his frustration at the lack of game time being seen by his client, a situation he felt was hampering the midfielder’s progress.
Shortly before the loan move to Cardiff materialised, he said: “Grujic has to go somewhere in January in a loan, in a team where he will play.
“He is very much appreciated in Liverpool and therefore he did not go anywhere because they did not want to let him go.
“But he needs more minutes in the field and that’s why the loan is the best solution for him.”
Why is he holding up a move to Cardiff then?
THE indications suggest Warnock is right in his assessment of the situation.
Grujic is by far the biggest name in Stojadinovic’s portfolio and, given how highly rated he appears to be at Liverpool, he may well feel that there are better offers available.
“Grujic is his golden ticket”, says Markovic.
“Perhaps he’s now realised Grujic will have no future at LFC and is simply trying to sell his player to a club even outside England, possibly a side involved in European football next season.” Such remarks would make sense given the alleged interest from Galatasaray, who could offer the Serbian the lure of Champions League football.
Could a move still happen?
HAVING looked highly likely, this is perhaps the first time in this window that any sort of serious doubt has been cast on the move.
The clock is ticking like never before, although it’s not yet clear if there are any other serious contenders for his signature.
Cardiff are still keen, and will obviously make the best offer they can, but are unlikely to be able to compete with the sort of big hitters that Stojadinovic will be seeking.
Nevertheless, he should be aware that Warnock’s readiness to give up on a deal is certainly not a bluff, as evidenced by his fleeting interest in Matt Phillips.
Speaking the chase for Grujic, Warnock said: “Everyone knows I’m after Marko but I’ve spoken to another couple of players if that doesn’t happen.
“I don’t really want to spend any money if I can help it, so I’d like to get lads on loan, the two missing pieces, so I’m prepared to leave that a bit longer until I can get the right ones.
“If I didn’t get another player I’d be almost satisfied but we’re a bit thin in midfield and up front especially if we lost a couple of players to injury. It’s a long time from August 9th to January 1st so you’ve got to make sure you’ve got back-up. I’m delighted with the recruitment so far and if I can get a couple more in I’d be even more pleased.”
Despite Warnock’s admiration for Grujic, it’s obvious that he’s relaxed on what happens next, safe in the knowledge that he – and indeed the club – won’t do a deal that’s not right.