For Nottingham Forest, they will be hoping that the wait is worth it.
After years of speculation – barely a window went by without the City Ground newcomer being linked with at least one Premier League club – a £12 million deal was finally agreed to bring Nikola Milenkovic to English football.
Nottingham Forest got their man in mid-July.
Chief football officer Ross Wilson, meanwhile, told BBC Sport that Milenkovic had been admired by the two-time European champions from afar for some time, Forest ‘excited’ to land a 6ft 5ins centre-half who had become a stalwart for both Fiorentina and the Serbia national team.
But after previous links with Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur – a potential £14 million move to West Ham also fell through back in 2021 – why did Nottingham Forest find themselves with a relatively clear path in their pursuit of Milenkovic this summer?
Well, according to one man who has watched the former Partizan Belgrade giant closely, the reason may lie in the argument that Milenkovic’s development has stalled over the last few seasons.
Nottingham Forest sign Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic
Ex-Viola ace Lorenzo Amoruso, speaking to Radio Bruno, feels that now was the right time for Fiorentina to cash in on a player who is yet to truly justify those comparisons with Man United legend Nemanja Vidic.
“The Milenkovic deal was the right one for me,” says Amoruso, who spent two years at Fiorentina in the 1990s before spells at Rangers and Blackburn Rovers. “Because, even in terms of his salary at Fiorentina, he was (earning) a very high salary.
“In the last three or four years, Milenkovic had stopped. He wasn’t showing signs of growth. The opportunity to sell him came.
“On paper, an old defender was exchanged for another defender.”
Fiorentina have already landed Milenkovic’s replacement in former Borussia Dortmund centre-back Marin Pongracic. The German-born Croatian arrives from Serie A rivals Lecce.
Milenkovic will be one of the tallest players in the Premier League next season albeit three inches shorter than new Forest goalkeeper Carlos Miguel. The 26-year-old could form a new-look partnership with the exceptional Murillo at the heart of Nuno Espirito Santo’s backline.
“We are excited to welcome Nikola to Nottingham Forest,” former Rangers chief Wilson added. “He is a key part of our squad planning this summer and I know how enthusiastic he has been to join the club.
“We have long admired his performances with the Serbian national team, and in Serie A and European competitions for Fiorentina.
“We are delighted that he will bring his experience and qualities to Nottingham Forest.”
Forest in talks for Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa
HITC understands that, having already brought in Miguel, Milenkovic and former Newcastle starlet Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest are turning their focus to wingers.
Talks with Argentine outfit Tallares are continuing regarding Ramon Sosa. The Paraguay forward, who’s agent recently confirmed interest from Everton and Chelsea, could set Forest back £12 million.
The City Ground side are also closing in on a bargain £6 million deal for Portugal international Jota Silva. The so-called Iberian Jack Grealish scored 15 goals last season for Vitoria de Guimaraes and only narrowly missed out on a place in Roberto Martinez’s Euro 2024 squad.
Vitoria coach Rui Borges all-but confirmed Jota’s departure on Wednesday, via O Jogo.
“Jota is a different player, special to the team and the fans,” Borges said. “But we have to learn to live with (the prospect of him leaving).
“I’m happy for him. He deserves it for everything that’s happened to him.”
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