Bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur have given West Ham United real hope of landing a crucial signing.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Fiorentina contract rebel Nikola Milenkovic.
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 fans worried after reports linked Spurs with rival bid for Milenkovic
Given Milenkovic is potentially available for a bargain fee it has attracted other clubs, notably West Ham’s fierce rivals Tottenham (Calciomercato).
And despite West Ham being in the Europa League and very much a team on the up under David Moyes, fans fear Tottenham will simply outbid them for the centre-back.
Especially when speculation emerged yesterday that Spurs could ditch their £43 million move for Atalanta Cristian Romero and go for Milenkovic instead (Football 365).
But West Ham have been handed a huge boost with the news that Tottenham are in fact pressing ahead with their Romero move and he could be announced as a new signing in the next 24 hours (Football Italia).
Path clear for West Ham as Spurs press ahead with Romero move which could be sealed in next 24 hours?
The likes of Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano and Football 365 are reporting that Romero is now just one step away from signing for Spurs and could be announced in the next day.
That would almost certainly rule Spurs out of the running for Milenkovic, clearing the path for West Ham.
The Hammers have also been heavily linked with Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.
But at the weekend Sky Sports claimed a move for Milenkovic is more likely for the Hammers.
Ogbonna injuries expose big weakness in West Ham side
So with Spurs out of the race West Ham must surely fancy their chances.
All that remains is to agree a fee with Fiorentina and persuade Milenkovic that a move to West Ham can match his ambitions.
Being in the Europa League should help in that respect but players will want to know West Ham intend to keep pushing to consolidate their position in and around the top six of the Premier League.
West Ham’s desperation for a centre-back is exacerbated by the recent injury to star man Angelo Ogbonna.
Although the injury is not expected to keep the Italian out for long, it highlights just how short West Ham are in that department.
Should Spurs complete the signing of Romero this week, it will mean the 23-year-old Argentine will not be in the Atalanta squad to face West Ham this weekend at the London Stadium.
In other news, Declan Rice situation explained as silent return sparks fears he had ‘done a Harry Kane’.
And Chelsea start £130m Tammy Abraham triangle as West Ham wait.