Report: Chelsea join Tottenham in race for £12.5m defender, same agent as Koulibaly

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Italian outlet Firenze Viola claim Chelsea have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic this summer – with his contract at La Viola set to expire come the end of the 22-23 campaign.

Milenkovic, 24, joined Fiorentina in 2017 and has since been a mainstay. He has clocked up 171 appearances in all competitions, proving to be somewhat of a goalscoring defender with 14 goals from centre-back in that time.

A 37-time Serbia international, he is likely to leave Fiorentina this summer. His contract is due to expire at the end of the season and he is unlikely to sign a new deal. Fiorentina will have to sell in order to rake in some cash.

A fee of £12.5million would be enough to convince Fiorentina to sell, a potential bargain. Inter Milan are keen, while Tottenham have been linked in the past. Now, Firenze Viola claim Chelsea, Tottenham and Inter are all still keen.

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Chelsea have joined Tottenham in Milenkovic race

Milenkovic is a top defender. A powerful centre-back, a colossus in Italian football – arguably one of the best in Serie A. So, to be available for just £12.5million, it is a surprise other clubs are not interested in his services.

Chelsea do need central defenders. Kalidou Koulibaly, who has the same agent as Milenkovic, has come in. But the club already needed a centre-back before losing Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger this summer.

So, one or two need to come in in that area at Stamford Bridge. Cesar Azpilicueta could also leave, while Malang Sarr is closing in on a move to Monaco. It is no surprise, then, that Milenkovic is a target for the Blues.

Tottenham meanwhile have numerous options at centre-back, but have just lost Joe Rodon to Rennes. Japhet Tanganga could also go. Clement Lenglet has come in but Antonio Conte might want one more. Time will tell.