---
title: "West Ham United: Hammers ‘in talks’ to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-hammers-in-talks-to-sign-fiorentina-defender-nikola-milenkovic/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-02T10:15:34Z"
modified: "2021-08-02T10:15:34Z"
---

# West Ham United: Hammers ‘in talks’ to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic

**Writing on [Twitter,](https://twitter.com/skysports_sheth/status/1421790782391033862) Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has shared some news on West Ham United and their transfer plans involving Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic.**

### The Lowdown: West Ham in centre-back chase…

[Claret & Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/candh-exclusive-moyes-wants-three-positions-filled/) first reported that strengthening the central defensive area was among manager David Moyes’ main summer transfer priorities.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368246″\]

In recent days, [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12367313/kurt-zouma-west-ham-in-transfer-talks-with-chelsea-over-possibility-of-signing-french-centre-back) also lifted the lid on West Ham talks for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, with the player said to be open to a London Stadium switch.

ExWHUemployee also believes that signing a new centre-half for Moyes is now West Ham’s first priority before sealing deals for players in different positions ([Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/posts/centre-back-54335426)).

### The Latest: Sheth shares Milenkovic news…

As per Sheth, writing on his social media, West Ham are also in talks to sign Serie A powerhouse Milenkovic as fellow centre-half target Zouma looks like a ‘tough deal’ to complete.

[West Ham latest developments…](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-developments/)

The 23-year-old has emerged as an alternative to Chelsea’s centre-back as GSB enter negotiations over his possible signing this summer.

“Zouma to #WHUFC tough deal due to fee & wages,” Sheth explained (via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/skysports_sheth/status/1421790782391033862)).

“Zouma open to move but happy to stay at #CFC – contract to 2023. Zouma to #Sevilla as part of Kounde deal not impossible – but he prefers London stay.

“#WHUFC remain in talks with #Fiorentina over #Milenkovic.”

### The Verdict: Sound alternative…

Milenkovic definitely comes as a viable alternative to Zouma going by his exploits for Fiorentina last campaign and praise from his teammates.

Averaging an impressive 86% pass accuracy out from defence over the 2020/2021 Serie A season, perhaps indicating a cool head on young shoulders, only one Irons player (Issa Diop) managed more blocks on average per 90 ([2.1](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Show/England-West-Ham)) compared to Milenkovic ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/319785/Show/Nikola-Milenkovic)).

He has also been called ‘extraordinary’ by Spanish right-back Pol Lirola (SOSFantacalcio via [x-sport.news](https://x-sport.news/fiorentina-lirola-on-milenkovic-extraordinary-quality-ready-for-a-great-team/)), leaving little wonder why West Ham have identified him as a target.

Charlie Eccleshare, journalist for The Athletic, says Milenkovic could even leave Italy for as little as €15 million (£12.8m) this summer, with the player himself ‘keen to play’ Premier League football ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/CDEccleshare/status/1420033399717310480)).

Taking all this into account, swooping for the Serbian seems like a no-brainer.

***In other news: ‘Advanced agreement’…Journalist says 93-goal forward now ‘very close to West Ham’, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-journalist-says-hammers-very-close-to-signing-martin-braithwaite/)***