Luka Milivojevic admits that it was "a little inconvenient" that he was entering the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace, before recently signing an extension.
The Crystal Palace captain recently put pen to paper on a new four-year deal to commit his future to the Eagles until 2023, having joined the club back in January 2017 during Sam Allardyce's time in charge.
But Milivojevic has now spoken out about his contract situation, after returning to the Serbia squad for the first time since the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
"It was a little inconvenient because I was entering the last year of the contract," the 28-year-old said, in an interview with Serbian media outlet Stara Pazova .
"In football, it is a little inconvenient when you enter the last year, all sorts of things happen. I know, I didn't get the top offer and I extended the contract."
Meanwhile, Milivojevic has spoken about being back in the Serbian squad, following an international exile under former coach Mladen Krstajic amid the fallout from Serbia's exit from the World Cup in 2018.
And the Palace skipper hopes to add to his 30 caps during the current international break, with games against Portugal and Luxembourg in qualifiers for the European Championships next summer.
"To be honest, I was not surprised. I was waiting for the call," he said.
"It followed, we talked, it was quite positive. I have never worked with them and I cannot generally speak on the subject, but, well, I will have the opportunity to cooperate now.
"Hopefully everything will be all right."
However, he admits he has to earn his place in the side, like any other player, adding that he will be looking to impress new coach Ljubisa Tumbajovic.
He said: "I wouldn't like it. On what basis will anyone guarantee me that I have to play?
"I have to earn it through my performances through the national team and basically in professional football, except for a few, no one is guaranteed a place. I would love to."
