Well placed Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has backed up claims that West Ham United are close to signing defender Nikola Milenkovic.
Yesterday football journalist Pedro Almeida claimed West Ham have almost sealed a deal to sign Serie A defender Milenkovic.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Fiorentina contract rebel Milenkovic.
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The Serbian defender, who has been labelled the new Nemanja Vidic, is out of contract at La Viola next summer and has been linked with West Ham since last year.
West Ham’s bitter rivals Spurs and the likes of Juventus have also been linked with Milenkovic.
But the Hammers are leading Tottenham in the race for the 23-year-old according to a recent report from The Express.
With the new season just over a week away, speculation has intensified over West Ham’s transfer activity with David Moyes particularly short up front and in central defence.
Italian transfer reporter backs up West Ham transfer claim
Yesterday Almeida said on Twitter: “Nikola Milenkovic is almost done to join West Ham from Fiorentina for around 15M€ (£12.75m) with adds on.
“The Italian team has even sign replacement for the player, Matija Nastasic from Schalke.”
And now Italian reporter Romano – a well placed source on European transfers – has backed up those claims with his own update on West Ham’s move for Milenkovic.
“West Ham are progressing in negotiations with Fiorentina to sign Nikola Milenkovic as centre-back,” Romano said on Twitter.
“Details still to be discussed to reach an agreement but talks ongoing.
“West Ham and Fiorentina are closing on Matija Nastasić as replacement. No Zouma for West Ham, as of now.”
Signing super Serb would be superb business from West Ham
Signing Milenkovic would be an unreal piece of business for West Ham.
This is a player who was rated at nearly £50 million by Fiorentina before running his contract down.
Indeed the Serie A side turned down a bid of over £40m for Milenkovic from Atletico Madrid in 2018.
An injury to West Ham’s star defender Angelo Ogbonna – who turns 34 at the end of the forthcoming season – has highlighted just how light Moyes is in that department.
The Italian is expected to be ok for the start of the season at Newcastle next weekend.
But it is vital Moyes gets a centre back signed before the end of the transfer window.
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