The agent of Nikola Milenkovic has informed Fiorentina of a £13.5 million bid from West Ham United for the centre-back as the Serie A outfit closes in on a replacement, as reported by Corriere dello Sport.
At last there appears to be a glint of light at the end of a tunnel longer than the Gotthard Base.
Milenkovic, the 6ft 5in Serbian giant, has been a target for West Ham for the best part of 12 months.
But after baulking at what would have been a £35 million package last summer, the Premier League giants are living proof patience is a virtue (talkSPORT).
Because, with Milenkovic refusing to extend a contract due to expire in 2022, that same player is now available for a fraction of his once sky-high transfer fee.
West Ham closer than ever to signing Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic
According to Corriere dello Sport, West Ham have made two bids, the first worth £11 million and the second understood to be in the region of £13.5 million.
That remains shy of the fee Fiorentina want but, with Milenkovic’s agent now in talks with the club’s bosses, there’s a belief an agreement will be reached sooner rather than later.
What’s more, Fiorentina are turning to a familiar face as they prepare for life without their star centre-back.
Former Manchester City youngster Matija Nastasic played arguably the best football of his career for La Viola almost a decade ago and an emotional return to the Stadio Artemio Franchi is edging ever closer.
Nastasic, the 28-cap Serbia international, will be allowed to leave Schalke after the cash-strapped German club finished bottom of the Bundesliga. Nastasic is understood to be one of their highest earners, not to mention one of their most sellable assets.
And many believe Milenkovic is ready to step up the footballing ladder too.
“He could easily play at clubs like Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Milenkovic is already ready for these teams,” former Partizan Belgrade director Ivica Iliev said earlier this year.
“£40 million for Milenkovic would be fair. (He has) incredible potential.”
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