Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur face a make or break 48 hours in their pursuit of Fiorentina and Serie A centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, as reported by La Nazione, via Firenze Viola.
Is it really a transfer window unless Milenkovic is being linked with a move to England? He’s taken his sweet time but the Serbia international has finally returned to the gossip columns in the final few weeks of the summer.
According to Firenze Viola, Milenkovic’s agent – Fali Ramadani – is holding talks with not just Tottenham but also London neighbours Chelsea.
Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also keen. And one wonders if Fiorentina supporters could handle the sight of another star player following in the footsteps of Roberto Baggio, Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi.
Tottenham in Nikola Milenkovic race
As things stand, La Viola are yet to receive any official offers for Milenkovic. That is despite the fact the one-time West Ham target is available for a bargain £12.5 million, with a number of clubs across the continent making theri interest known.
And La Nazione say that, if no bids arrive between now and Sunday, Milenkovic will sign a new contract at the Estadio Artemio Franchi, complete with a pay rise. His situation, the report claims, will be ‘clarified’ over the next 48 hours.
“(Milenkovic) could easily play at clubs like Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Milenkovic is already ready for these teams,” says Ivica Iliev, the former Partizan Belgrade director who worked with the 6ft 5ins giant back home in Serbia.
“£40 million for Milenkovic would be fair considering he is a defender. (He has) incredible potential.”
The 24-year-old has made his name as a reliable presence at the back. But do not downplay the impact he could make at the other end of the pitch too. Few central defenders are as prolific as Milenkovic, after all. 14 goals in the last four seasons tells its own story.
“It is magnificent to be compared to the likes of (Manchester United legend Nemanja) Vidic,” Milenkovic said during the 2018 World Cup.
“Vidic was one hell of a player, while I am in the fledgling stage of my career. Hence, I have to keep working hard in order to climb that mountain.”
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