Atletico Madrid have entered the competition to sign ACF Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, with West Ham still keen on the Serbian international.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the reigning La Liga champions have been impressed with Milenkovic’s form this season, with Atletico now eyeing a summer move for the 24-year-old defender.
As per the report, West Ham remain in the race for the centre-back, with new details revealing that David Moyes’ side were close to signing Milenkovic before a transfer collapsed with Fiorentina.
A physical defender who has been compared to five-time Premier League champion Nemanja Vidic, Milenkovic has been a key player for Fiorentina for some time. However, it appears that 2022 will be the year that the Serbian finally departs the Tuscan club.
Milenkovic’s contract with La Viola expires in 2023. And whilst Fiorentina will likely lose his Serbian counterpart Dusan Vlahovic, as well, it will make sense for the Serie A side to allow the defender to leave for a fee than allow him to depart for nothing.
With the Sun reporting that Fiorentina value Milenkovic at £30m, it is likely that Atletico and West Ham can sign the 24-year-old for much less this summer given his contract situation.
West Ham must beat Atletico to Milenkovic signature
It feels like Milenkovic has been linked with a move to West Ham forever, yet new links this week and interest from Atletico could spur the Irons to sign the Serie A defender in the summer transfer window.
The defender has continued to impress with Fiorentina this season. And with Atletico interested in Milenkovic, West Ham must do all they can to win the race for the Serbian international.
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