According to Calciomercato, Inter Milan have postponed talks to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic because Tottenham Hotspur didn’t sign Milan Skriniar.
It’s claimed that Inter had lined up a move for Maksimovic in case Skriniar left the club for a move to Tottenham before the international deadline.
Tottenham couldn’t come up with the money to sign Skriniar, meaning Inter have now parked their talks for Maksimovic until 2021.
Without losing a ‘big defender, Inter allegedly aren’t in a position to sign a new centre back, at least for the money Fiorentina want for Maksimovic.
Maksimovic is allegedly refusing to renew his contract, which expires in 2022, and he will likely be put on the market in January or next summer as a result.
For the Serbian giant to earn his move to Inter, Spurs may need to come back in for Skriniar in 2021 – but this current stalemate may work perfectly for West Ham.
The Hammers wanted to sign Milenkovic earlier this month, but talkSPORT reported that they couldn’t structure a £35million deal to sign him.
If Spurs go and sign Joe Rodon – a West Ham target himself – then Skriniar would likely remain at Inter, possibly leaving Milenkovic free to target for the Hammers again, with his contract edging closer to its expiration at that point.
It would still be an expensive deal, but if Inter can’t do a deal, there may be a chance for West Ham to get back involved again.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
