Despite Milan hunting Lille defender Sven Botman for much of the season, pitching in for another stopper talent might prove to be more feasible for the Rossoneri management.
As reported by Italian outlet La Nazione (via PianetaMilan), Fiorentina center-back Nikola Milenkovic is a prospective target who is facing an uncertain future in the Viola ranks.
The Partizan Belgrade youth product is reportedly in a mismatch of terms with the Florence giants and with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023, it would make sense for Fiorentina to cash in on his services instead of seeing him leave for free at the end of next campaign.
.@en_sscnapoli ? @ACFFiorentinaEN
A challenge between: @kkoulibaly26 ? #Milenkovic ⛰#NapoliFiorentina #SerieA? #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/eRtwOEH0NB
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 8, 2022
Stefano Pioli trained Milenkovic for the two seasons he was at the helm at Stadio Artemio Franchi between 2017 and 2019. The Italian tactician is an admirer of the 24-year-old Serbian potential and would like to see him replace outbound Alessio Romagnoli and the injured Simon Kjaer.
However, no deal is going to be simple as Milan aren’t the only ones hot on the Serb’s trail. Fellow Azzurri giants Juventus are also in the fray, whereas interest from once highly-linked suitors West Ham United is dwindling with each passing day.
Milenkovic has been an instrumental part of Fiorentina since arriving in 2017/18, going on to make 157 appearances for the Tuscans and scoring 14 goals in the process.