According to a report from Fichajes, West Ham United already have an agreement in place to sign Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic in the summer.
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Calcio Mercato.it recently claimed that Hammers boss David Moyes wants to bring the 29-year-old centre-back to the London Stadium this summer.
talkSPORT suggested that West Ham made a £14 million bid for Maksimovic last summer – one that was subsequently rejected by Napoli.
The 25-capped Serbia international is out of contract in Naples in the summer. So he will be available on a free transfer in a few months time.
The opportunity to sign the 29-year-old on a free will obviously appeal to the Hammers.
West Ham have deal to sign Nikola Maksimovic already agreed
Fichajes claims that the Hammers already have a deal in place to bring the centre-back to East London in the summer.
In 15 Serie A outings for Napoli this season, Maksimovic has averaged 1 tackle, 1.3 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per game. He has also won an average of 1.9 aerial duals per match (Who Scored).
The 29-year-old is a grizzly, seasoned defender and picking him up on a free transfer this summer seems like an absolute no brainer for the Hammers.
With Fabian Balbuena set to leave the London Stadium this summer, bringing in Maksimovic would make sense.
Signing the experienced Serbian would block the path to the first team for the likes of Aji Alese, Jamal Baptiste and Frederick Alves, however.
Much will depend on whether David Moyes thinks any of those youngsters will be ready for regular Premier League action next season.
Perhaps signing Maksimovic for absolutely nothing on a two-year deal or so would make sense for West Ham. He would certainly provide quality competition and cover for the Hammers’ current central defenders, that’s for sure.
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