West Ham agreed to sign ‘incredible’ star; They can get him for £12m now

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Not so long ago, former Partizan Belgrade director Ivica Iliev was asked what would represent a ‘fair price’ for Fiorentina’s Serbian international centre-back Nikola Milenkovic.

“He could easily play at clubs like Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich,” Iliev responded. “Milenkovic is already ready for these teams.

£40 million for Milenkovic would be fair. (He has) incredible potential.”

Flash forward to August 2022 and, with less than 12 months left on his Fiorentina contract, that very same player is now e available for a mere fraction of Iliev’s suggested £40 million.

A risk worth taking for West Ham

According to Firenze Viola, £12 million could be enough to twist Fiorentina’s arm. Tottenham and Chelsea have held talks with Milenkovic’s representative. Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus are also in the running.

But what about West Ham United? A side who came within touching distance of securing the 24-year-old’s signature after submitting a £14 million offer in August 2021 (Sky Sports).

“It was really done; Nikola Milenkovic to West Ham,” Fabrizio Romano explained at the time. “They decided to sign Kurt Zouma weeks later, but they were more than close to Nikola Milenkovic.

“It was at the final stages. West Ham changed their mind with David Moyes and the board at the last minute.

“West Ham wanted him. They had an agreement in place with Fiorentina. It was about the contract of the player and final details. It was about personal terms with Milenkovic and with his agent, and then the deal collapsed.”

With all that drama still fresh in the memory, is this is the reason why West Ham have stayed clear of Milenkovic throughout the summer of 2022? Maybe so. It’s certainly difficult to think of any other reasons why a West Ham side in the market for defensive reinforcements are not going all in for a long-term target now available for less than the Hammers were willing to pay 12 months ago.

There is still time for a change of tack. There are over three weeks before the window closes. And Milenkovic, at just £12 million, is certainly worth another glance.