Newcastle United are prepared to make their move for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic this summer, believing there could be a £25million discount in the offing.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (20/03, p74), who claim that Newcastle are ready to make a bid for the Serbian international.
The report added that Fiorentina wanted £37.5million in January but could now sell for just £13million – a discount of around £25million.
The reason for the knockdown price is that Milenkovic is out of contract in 2023 and has indicated that he isn’t signing a new one.
Fiorentina are now scrambling to sell Milenkovic for whatever they can get, giving Premier League clubs hope of a bargain.
Newcastle aren’t alone in the race though, with Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Manchester United also keen.
Tottenham are looking for other centre backs to add around Cristian Romero, whilst West Ham continue to be linked with centre backs after Angelo Ogbonna’s injury.
As for Newcastle, they signed Dan Burn in January but may not have his long-term partner just yet.
Milenkovic fits the bill, especially as a right-sided centre back to complement the left-footed Burn.
Milenkovic, 24, is a huge presence at 6ft 5in tall but he has also played as a right back for Fiorentina following a 2017 move from Partizan Belgrade.
Now with almost 150 Serie A appearances to his name, Milenkovic has become a star in Italy and has been hailed for cancelling former Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic in a recent meeting with Juventus.
Such huge interest in Milenkovic is hardly a surprise, and Newcastle will hope their riches can tempt the defender to St James’ Park.
Beating Tottenham, West Ham and Manchester United – all clubs chasing European football this season – won’t be easy, but the funds at Eddie Howe’s disposal make it seem possible.
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