Reported Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United target Nikola Milenkovic is a £40 million defender capable of playing for Barcelona, ex-Partizan Belgrade director Ivica Iliev tells Labora Viola.
Unfortunately for Fiorentina, £40 million for Milenkovic is nothing more than a pipe dream these days.
The Serbia international has rejected the chance to extend a contract which expires in 2022 and the Serie A outfit would have little choice but to accept a reduced fee next summer.
La Nazione believe that, after Fiorentina director Daniele Prade admitted that Milenkovic would be sold before he becomes a free-agent, £23 million could do the trick.
Tottenham expressed their interest recently, holding talks with the agent of a 6ft 5ins powerhouse (Nazione). West Ham are also long-term admirers (Alfredo Pedulla).
But according to Iliev, who worked with Milenkovic during his time at Partizan Belgrade, the defender could aim a bit higher than the London Stadium.
“(Milenkovic) could easily play at clubs like Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Milenkovic is already ready for these teams,” Iliev explains.
“£40 million for Milenkovic would be fair considering he is a defender.
“(He has) incredible potential.”
If Jose Mourinho is intent on replicating the pragmatic tactics that took him to the very top at Inter Milan and Chelsea, then Tottenham have little choice but to reinforce a backline beset by individual errors.
Spurs have conceded a remarkable eight goals in their last two games, with Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier, Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez all making crucial mistakes in recent weeks.
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