Who is Chelsea-linked Nikola Maksimovic?

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With Chelsea reportedly set to lodge a £25 million bid for Torino centre back Nikola Maksimovic, we take a closer look at the Serbian defender.

Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a £22 million plus offer for Torino centre back Nikola Maksimovic, according to the Daily Mail.

With Napoli also said to be extremely interested in the man touted as ‘the new Nemanja Vidic’, we take a closer look at exactly why the 24-year-old Serbian is attracting some serious interest.

Born in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia just one year before its dissolution, Maksimovic began his career in 2002 with local side Kosmos Bajina Basta, before progressing to Sloga Bajina Basta just two years later.

After impressing at both sides – and in various youth tournaments and competitions across Serbia – the talented young centre back earned a move to Serbian Uzice side Sloboda Uzice in July of 2006.

Making his senior debut for the club precisely two years later, Maksimovic quickly established himself in the club’s starting eleven, impressing enough to earn a move to Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.

Again, after immediately impressing, Maksimovic quickly broke through into the first team – making 35 appearances for the club across his first two seasons, despite still only being 21.

Having now established a name for himself as one of his country’s most promising young players, Maksimovic was loaned to Italian side Torino in July of 2013 – before eventually making the move permanent in May of the following year.

Initially making 23 appearances in his debut season, before making a further 53 across the following two years, Nikola impressed many not only with his physicality and reading of the game, but also with his versatility.

Standing at four inches over six feet, and possessing surprising pace for a player of his size, the powerful Serbian certainly possesses the physical attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League.

Having also forged his reputation in Italy – a league renowned for its emphasis on tactics strong defending – Maksimovic also certainly seems to possess many of the attributed favoured by the coach of Torino’s long-standing local rivals, and current Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte.

With Napoli also reportedly ready to spend big to secure the promising Serbian’s signature however, any pursuit by Conte looks set to be anything but simple.

And with the £75 million received from Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain’s controversial move to the capital still burning a hole in Napoli’s pockets, Chelsea might just have to break the bank if they truly wish to land their man.