Fiorentina are now preparing for life without Nikola Milenkovic as Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur look to sign the Serie A centre-back, as reported by Corriere dello Sport.
When Milenkovic signed a new contract with La Viola in the summer of 2021, it merely served to kick the can a little further down the road.
The 6ft 5ins defensive giant is now entering his final 14 months of that deal and, once again, he is taking centre-stage in the gossip columns ahead of another summer of speculation.
According to Calciomercato, nouveau-riche Newcastle have spoken to Milenkovic regarding a move to St James’ Park. Bankrolled by Saudi Arabian billionaires, the newly-minted Magpies are capable of blowing most clubs out of the water these days but Milenkovic won’t break the bank.
The former Partizan Belgrade youngster, due to the fact he will become a free-agent in 2023, is valued at a reduced fee of around £13 million.
Tottenham are interested too (Corriere). Spurs are long-time admirers of Milenkovic, who Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte will know well from their time on Italian soil.
Is Nikola Milenkovic finally heading to the Premier League?
And Fiorentina, fully aware that they are unlikely to convince Milenkovic to sign another contract extension, are now setting their sights on potential replacements.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Vincenzo Italiano’s side – who have a giant wad of cash burning a hole in their back pocket following the January departure of Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus – are looking at Lens’ Facundo Medina and Robin Le Normand of Real Sociedad.
“(Milenkovic) 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 explains.
“£40 million for Milenkovic would be fair. (He has) incredible potential.”
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Milenkovic came within touching distance of a Premier League move back in 2021. That was, of course, before a disagreement with the defender’s agent scuppered his switch to West Ham United.
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