Manchester United have reportedly been told to cough up £40 million in order to land Serbian international Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United now know the amount they will need to shell out if they are to secure the services of Nikola Milenkovic. Fiorentina have slapped a £40 million price tag on the Serbian international, which is around £10 million higher than the Red Devils’ valuation of the player.
Nikola Milenkovic is the latest defender on the radar of Manchester United, who have been heavily linked with a number of centre-backs in recent months. Jose Mourinho had been intent on adding a central defender this past summer, but a move did not manage to get materialised for any of his targets.
Heading into the January transfer window, however, it has been widely reported that Manchester United are ready to back the manager with the required funds for the available players. And, the Serbian international seems to have jumped to the front of the shortlist of defenders, and for good reason.
Manchester United’s defensive standards have evidently plundered at the start of the campaign, with Mourinho’s men shipping the fifth most goals in the Premier League. The manager has thus, been vindicated, which has rightly prompted a return to the transfer market for a defender – Milenkovic is one of their reported targets.
The 21-year-old joined Fiorentina in the summer of 2017, but it wasn’t until the turn of the year that he managed to establish himself as a mainstay at the back for La Viola. His stock further ascended following a strong showing with Serbia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and he has only gone from strength to strength at the onset of this season.
Now, with Manchester United in desperate need of a centre-back, the Serbian international is a viable target. That Milenkovic can also play as a right-back, as he has shown this season when representing Fiorentina, also makes an attractive prospect for the Premier League heavyweights. But, a possible bone of contention for the Red Devils could be his price tag.
Fiorentina are set to demand £40 million in exchange for Milenkovic, and will not budge from their valuation of the player. But, Manchester United only want to pay £30 million to land the Serbian international, and will need to drive a hard bargain in order to secure his services.
With Juventus also said to be interested, Manchester United might not have any choice but to reach as close to Fiorentina’s price tag as possible. What is becoming increasingly certain though, is that they will lodge a bid to sign the 21-year-old in January.
That Mourinho has personally scouted Nikola Milenkovic is evidence enough as to how highly he is being rated right now. It now remains to be seen if Manchester United are willing to shell out £40 million to secure the services of the Serbian international.
