According to Il Mattino, West Ham and Everton are eyeing a move for Napoli centre-back Nikola Maksimovic.
The 29-year-old is believed to be available for an affordable price, with Il Mattino saying that Napoli would accept an offer of €10 million (£8.8 million).
This is perhaps due to the fact that his contract is running out – the defender will be a free agent in June.
Interestingly, the 25-cap Serbia international has played under Carlo Ancelotti before, while the pair worked in Naples together.
Maksimovic spoke glowingly about the Toffees boss, and revealed that he enjoyed himself out on the pitch under the ex-Chelsea manager’s guidance.
He told Radio Kiss Kiss (via Napoli’s official website): “We enjoy ourselves with Ancelotti – when we’re on the pitch too. We’re able to express ourselves easily even though we work very hard during the week.”
Another interesting thing about the Everton and West Ham target is that he has been likened to Manchester United icon Nemanja Vidić back in their homeland of Serbia.
That was detailed by the Daily Mail, who documented the intriguing comparison in their piece about the Serie A colossus.
West Ham’s need for a new centre-back has lessened somewhat, in our view, due to the form of Craig Dawson.
In Everton’s case, Ben Godfrey’s arrival has also seen the Toffees less in need of a new central defender.
However, if Maksimovic is available on a free, then Ancelotti could do a lot worse than reunite himself with a player who has openly expressed his enjoyment at playing under him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
