According to a report by Spanish media outlet Fichajes, West Ham United have a 'closed agreement' to sign Napoli powerhouse Nikola Maksimovic upon the expiry of his contract - and if nothing goes wrong, he will become the Irons' first signing for next season. 

West Ham have agreement for Makismovic signing

Maksimovic, standing at a towering 1.93m (6 foot 4), will allegedly not continue at Stadio San Paolo as talks over a new deal break down - and this report has made an emphatic claim that West Ham already have a solid agreement in place for his signature.

The 29-year-old, who could be seen as a worthwhile replacement for Hammers defender Fabian Balbuena as his contract is due to expire at the London Stadium, is apparently all but set to join West Ham in the summer.

Fichajes describe the agreement as being 'total', with it looking like he will become David Moyes' first signing for next season as it stands.

As well as this, the news outlet stated that manager Moyes personally tabled Maksimovic as a new defensive option and has even prioritised him before other players.

Transfer Tavern take

Despite starting just 10 Serie A matches this season, the centre-back displays a cool head on mature shoulders and stands out as a supreme ball-playing defender.

He has averaged an impressive 92.4% pass accuracy out from the backline this season, even being given the nod by Gennaro Gattuso to start every Europa League game for the Azzurri before they were knocked out by Granada in the round of 32 (WhoScored).

West Ham apparently have an agreement in place to sign him for free this summer, and he could be a worthwhile coup.

In other news: West Ham fans erupted at this news, find out more here.