Hammers could land fifth summer signing for free

West Ham could sign defender Nikola Maksimovic for free, according to The Sunday Mirror (Print Edition; page 77)

The Hammers are competing against former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini now at Real Betis to secure his signature it has been claimed.

The 29-year-old was released by the Serie A big hitters at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.  He made 27 appearances but refused to sign an extension and is now a free agent.

The defender has made his name in Italy, starring with Torino having arrived from Red Star Belgrade in 2013.

He earned 25 caps for Serbia and could be an ideal replacement for Fabian Balbuena who left West Ham last week after his contract expired.

West Ham signed Craig Dawson permanently for £2.2m from Watford with the player officially registered from last Wednesday.

Three other younger players have been signed in form of Okoflex Armstrong from Celtic, Thierry Nevers from  Reading and Pierre Ekwah Elimby from Chelsea have also moved to East London over the summer.