West Ham were linked to Nikola Milenkovic back in 2021. The Serbian international had reportedly agreed terms with West Ham and a transfer fee of £14m had been accepted by Fiorentina. Sadly, it was suggested that his agents outrageous demands scuppered the deal.
Milenkovic shortly after signed a new long term contract with La Viola.
The Hammers were again linked in 2022, and ex West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani said at the time that he had the perfect credentials to play in England and would be a great fit for West Ham. The players value had subsequently increased to around £20.7m.
At 6ft 4 he has been a towering presence in defence and has been a key player making over 216 appearances for the Italian club and 56 for Serbia. He featured in all three games for his country at the recent Euros in Germany.
He mainly plays as a centre back, yet is versatile enough to cover as a right back and is very comfortable on the ball. A physical player who is dominant in the air and a threat at set pieces.
At 26 years old he has his best years ahead of him.
West Ham fans saw the player in June 2023, during our win against Fiorentina to lift the Europa Conference League trophy. After the game Milenkovic spoke to the Italian press, “ It hurts to lose a match like this. The big teams don’t forgive anything in the finals, you have to be fully concentrated”
Fast forward to 2024, and Nottingham Forest have managed to sign the player for a mere £12m with add ons. Fiorentina had to reduce their salary structure, and with the player on a reported annual gross salary of €6m decided to accept the offer.
With much scrutiny over the transfer kitty, this could have been a shrewd signing by West Ham and freed up cash to spend elsewhere as part of the squad rebuild.
I think this one will come back to bite us. It looks like some good business done by Forest.
Jeeps moyes negativity needs to be out to bed let’s all get behind Lopetegui and steinden !!!! We all need to look forward to the new west ham and a positive attacking team with good tactics.COYI
Iwill be heart broken if we dont sign solet this summer, a great player, better than todibo in my opinion, i hope we can get him, please west ham sign this man ASAP.
Moyes reportedly tried to sign Cole Palmer but he didn’t.
Another one who got away.
There isn’t an “extra £28m”. He is on a 4 year contract worth £6m annually in wages, which is significantly more than Kilman. Forest have committed £36m for a guy whose performances have if anything gone backwards these last years. A Man U target in 2019 signs for Forest in 2024. We got the better CB and if we sign Todibo we will have the best of the lot currently available. BELIEVE!
Who cares? I mean, who really cares? West Ham would’ve moved on from him two years ago. It was just a link, no story.
C&H, just let us know how progress is going with Wan-Bissaka, Walker-Peters, Todibo, Duran, eh?
This is a cracking deal and far better value than Kilman. Would have preferred him and the extra £28m.
His record for Fiorentina is exceptional and he’s always a standout on international duty, how Forest managed to steal the 26 year old and all his experience for £12m is unbelievably great business. I only hope Kilman is as good but I’m not convinced so we’ll have to be patient and see what transpires this season.
Is there any suggestion anywhere that we’ve been interested in him recently ? 2021 and 22 interest doesn’t really make this a story.