Manchester United are reportedly leading the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan in the race to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic.
According to a report from La Repubblica, as relayed by Calciomercato, Premier League giants Manchester United are in pole position to sign Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, who is also wanted by a host of top clubs in Italy.
Having come through the youth ranks at Partizan Belgrade, for whom he went on to make close to fifty first-team appearances, the 23-year-old made the switch to Fiorentina in the summer of 2017. Since then, Milenkovic has steadily grown into one of the most promising young defenders in Italy.
Till date, the Serbian international has racked up 118 appearances for the Viola, scoring 10 goals. He has missed just one of Fiorentina’s 20 Serie A games so far this season and has shown great potential despite their disappointing start to the campaign.
However, Milenkovic’s future at Stadio Artemio Franchi has become uncertain, with his contract expiring in the summer next year. The report claims that the 23-year-old will not be signing a new deal with the Serie A outfit and is almost certain to leave before the next season kicks off.
This has put a host of clubs, including the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, on high alert. However, it is Manchester United who have emerged as the front-runners to sign the 26-time capped Serbian international in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Manchester United have a number of options in the centre-back department. Captain Harry Maguire is a mainstay at the back for the Red Devils, with Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly being rotated as his partners. In addition, Axel Tuanzebe is also an option at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s disposal while Phil Jones has been brought back into the fold as well.
Nonetheless, the injury problems plaguing Bailly and Jones throughout their spells at Old Trafford, coupled with Lindelof’s inconsistencies means Manchester United are looking for another top-class centre-back addition in the next transfer window.
Sevilla star Jules Kounde has emerged as a priority target for Manchester United, while the 20-time English champions have reportedly also approached Real Madrid star Raphael Varane over a potential summer transfer. Now, it is being claimed that the Red Devils are leading the race to sign Milenkovic come summer.
Despite his contract running out in over a year, Fiorentina are likely to demand a transfer fee of €35 million for the 23-year-old. It remains to be seen if Manchester United are willing to offer that much to capture the towering Serb’s signature.