---
title: "West Ham United: Irons in pole position to sign Nikola Milenkovic"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-irons-in-pole-position-to-sign-nikola-milenkovic/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-04T10:05:07Z"
modified: "2021-08-04T10:05:07Z"
---

# West Ham United: Irons in pole position to sign Nikola Milenkovic

**According to a report by the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1471307/Taylor-s-Tuesday-Transfers-Arsenal-s-Willock-decision-Cantwell-contract-Matheus-Pereira), West Ham United are in ‘pole position’ to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic and ‘remain in talks’.**

### The Lowdown: West Ham in defender chase…

As explained by club insider [Claret & Hugh](https://www.claretandhugh.info/candh-exclusive-moyes-wants-three-positions-filled/), strengthening the centre-half position has been a priority for manager David Moyes since the beginning of this window.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368246″\]

However, in recent weeks, signing a new defender and reinforcing West Ham’s centre-back options has been placed at the top of GSB’s transfer agenda – even ahead of the chase for an attacking midfielder and striker ([ExWHUemployee](https://www.patreon.com/posts/centre-back-54335426)).

Over these last few days, news has emerged of West Ham’s interest and talks to sign either Milenkovic or Chelsea colossus Kurt Zouma ([Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12691/12369808/west-ham-transfer-news-deal-for-kurt-zouma-appears-difficult-talks-held-over-nikola-milenkovic)).

### The Latest: West Ham in pole position for Milenkovic…

As per the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1471307/Taylor-s-Tuesday-Transfers-Arsenal-s-Willock-decision-Cantwell-contract-Matheus-Pereira), Moyes’ men are now in ‘pole position’ to sign the Serbian amid Tottenham’s move for Atalanta star Cristian Romero.

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

Their London rivals are said to be ‘keen’ on the Fiorentina centre-back but their prioritising of Romero has propelled West Ham to the front of the queue for Milenkovic.

This report adds that the Hammers ‘remain in talks’ over the 23-year-old, having held a strong interest since January.

### The Verdict: Get it done…

After signing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan from Paris-Saint Germain, we believe that Milenkovic should definitely be next through the door in east London.

Standing at a colossal 6 foot 5, the young defender won more aerial duels per game over 2020/21 ([three](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/319785/Show/Nikola-Milenkovic)) than any West Ham player bar Tomas Soucek and former Irons striker Sebastien Haller ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/29/Show/England-West-Ham)).

He is also a viable target financially, with reports suggesting he could leave Italy for as little as €15m (£12.7m) this summer ([Charlie Eccleshare](https://twitter.com/CDEccleshare/status/1420033399717310480)).

As explained by Italian football expert Conor Clancy, who spoke exclusively to [Football Transfer Tavern](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/clancy-west-ham-target-milenkovic-affordable-this-summer-e186/), he could be an ‘affordable’ signing for Moyes or any English club, so West Ham need to do all they can to get this one over the line.

***In other news: ‘As of now’…Journalist says ‘really exciting’ 54-goal player close to West Ham move, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-hammers-now-very-close-to-signing-matheus-pereira/)***