West Ham United boss David Moyes has made his first official move of the summer transfer window with a bid for longstanding target Nikola Milenkovic.
That’s according to a new report from Sky Sports Italia and Football Italia overnight.
West Ham were heavily linked with the Serbian, who has been labelled the ‘new Nemanja Vidic’, since last summer.
If Milenkovic is half the player the great Manchester United and Serbian international was then they would be getting some player.
West Ham make first official transfer move of the summer with £15.5m bid for the ‘new Vidic’
Moyes wanted Milenkovic last year but Fiorentina’s valuation proved too costly.
In the end Moyes signed Craig Dawson on an initial loan before completing a £2.5m deal.
But with Fabian Balbuena having left West Ham and both Angelo Ogbonna – 34 next season – and Dawson – 33 next season – in the latter stages of their careers, the club has acted by moving for a player who – aged 23 – can be the club’s main centre-back for the future.
According to Sky Sports Italia and Football Italia, West Ham bid £15.5m for Milenkovic yesterday.
Hammers and Fiorentina £7-10m apart in valuation but Milenkovic contract is up next summer
The report states the Hammers and Fiorentina are some £7-10m apart in their negotiations over the fee.
But West Ham are clearly low-balling for a player worth around £30m due to the fact his contract – which the report states he has no intention of extending – runs out at the end of next season.
Juventus, Napoli and Lazio have also been credited with an interest in Milenkovic.
The defender already has 28 caps for Serbia and made 34 Serie A appearances last season, scoring three goals and providing one assist for the Tuscans.
Move comes as Moyes abandons interest in Tarkowski
The move comes after reports yesterday that West Ham have abandoned their interest in another longstanding Moyes target, Burnley defender James Tarkowski (Daily Mail).
Like Milenkovic, Tarkowski’s contract is up next summer. But West Ham have repeatedly baulked at Burnley’s ridiculous valuations and have stepped away from any potential deal.
Duje Caleta-Car is reported to be another West Ham target. But with West Ham bidding for Milenkovic it is clear he is the man Moyes wants.
One of Moyes’s other priorities this summer is to try and sign Jesse Lingard permanently.
And agents are said to be working on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of a deal.
In other West Ham news, Moyes found himself out of a job this week thanks to this hilarious Scottish TV gaffe.
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