Nikola Maksimovic is demanding a £50,000-a-week contract and a starting role at his next club as the Liverpool and Everton target prepares to leave Napoli on 1 July, as reported by Forza Roma.
With Partenopei owner Aurelio De Laurentiis making it clear he has no plans to bow down to the defender’s demands, a parting of the ways this summer looks unavoidable.
No-one knows who Maksimovic will be playing for when 2021/22 begins – but it certainly won’t be Napoli.
Il Mattino reports Everton and West Ham United are both keen.
Liverpool, meanwhile, looked at Maksimovic during the winter and may be tempted to renew their interest (Sky Sports).
Maksimovic, a free agent in a matter of months, would be far cheaper than the likes of Ibrahima Konate after all. And, in this age of covid and cost-cutting, the chance to sign a proven, top-level centre-back without spending a penny feels like an opportunity too good to be missed.
But, with Maksimovic likely to field offers from clubs across the continent, what’s the man himself looking for?
Well, according to Forza Roma, the former Torino and Red Star Belgrade ace has two main demands. One, he wants £50,000 a week, an increase on the pay packet he takes home at the Stadio San Paulo.
And two, Maksimovic wants a guaranteed starting role, knowing regular first-team football is integral if he’s to secure a place in Serbia’s plans for the 2022 World Cup.
When Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are back to full fitness, it’s hard to imagine Maksimovic being one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet at Liverpool. The question, then, is whether the 29-year-old would represent an upgrade on the likes of Yerry Mina or Craig Dawson at Everton or West Ham.
Forza Roma adds that Tiago Pinto, Roma’s new sporting director, has held talks with Maksimovic regarding a potential switch to the Italian capital.
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