AC Milan know they face a tough task luring Nikola Milenkovic to the San Siro with Il Milanista reporting the Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool target wants a move to the Premier League.
After legendary manager Cesare Prandelli walked away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi this week, highlighting major problems behind the scenes at Fiorentina, it seems unlikely one of Europe’s most coveted central defenders will commit his future to an underachieving Viola side.
Milenkovic is out of contract in 2022 and has shown little interest in signing an extension.
Viola director Daniele Prade has already admitted the 23-year-old Serbia international will be sold during the upcoming transfer window. All the signs, then, point to an imminent farewell.
“We will try to renew Milenkovic’s contract and, if he doesn’t accept, we will sell him,” said Prade, never one to mince words.
AC Milan are long-time admirers of the 6ft 5in defender. According to Il Milanista, technical director Paulo Maldini and manager Stefano Pioli would both jump at the chance to add Milenkovic to the Rossoneri ranks.
But, after four years in the iconic violet shirt of Fiorentina, the former Partizan Belgrade starlet appears to have a new destination in his sights.
He wants to play in the Premier League.
And it just so happens there are a couple of sizeable clubs willing to offer him the opportunity to do just that.
Calciomercato reports Liverpool and Tottenham have both held talks with Milenkovic’s representatives. What’s more, the towering defender is now available for a cut-price £22 million – far less than the £35 million fee Fiorentina were demanding not so long ago.
“(Milenkovic) could easily play at clubs like Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Milenkovic is already ready for these teams,” ex-Partizan Belgrade director Ivica Iliev told Labora Viola.
“£40 million for Milenkovic would be fair. (He has) incredible potential.”
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