It feels like all of Europe’s top clubs are looking for a new midfielder in the summer.
This is the type of mass hunting that the relatively smaller sides are worried about with their talent in sight in the big dogs.
Fiorentina will be one of those who will worry, with their Serbian central defender Nikola Milenkovic linked to several teams across the continent.
He has been used 22 times for his country Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
But who is the coveted midfielder?
Here’s all you need to know about Nikola Milenkovic.
Milenkovic joined Fiorentina 2017 | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Milenkovic can play in both midfield and right back, which would give flexibility to someone’s team.
The right-footed serbar stands at 6’5, which would make him a dominant presence in death matches as you would expect.
Milenkovic has scored eight goals for Fiorentina | MIGUEL MEDINA / Getty Images
After impressing for his local side Partizan Belgrade, Milenkovic made the move to Tuscany and Fiorentina in the summer of 2017 for a fee believed to be in the region of 5 million euros.
He has made 125 appearances so far, even chipping in with 11 goals, although La Viola has only managed six clean goals this season.
Still only 22, Milenkovic has plenty of time to fulfill his undoubted potential.
Milenkovic has been compared to the great Nemanja Vidic | Ian Walton / Getty Images
As you would expect from a promising Serbian defender, Milenkovic has been compared to the great Nemanja Vidic.
Mladen Krstajic, his coach at the 2018 World Cup, called the young defender a “new Vidic” and praised Milenkovic’s calm, perseverance and good ball control.
Strong and skilled against a defender, it seems that comparisons are not misplaced.
Mourinhos United linked to Milenkovic | Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Of all the details we have provided so far, it should come as no surprise that Milenkovic caught Jose Mourinho’s eye.
The Portuguese were reported to have personally participated in a Fiorentina game in 2018 to scout the young defender.
Manchester United were keen but decided to spend £ 80m on Harry Maguire instead.
He impressed in Russia 2018 | VI-Images / Getty Images
Milenkovic appeared for his country at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and made a strong impression in an underperforming team in Serbia.
He played in all three group games and made 34 successful tackles, most of all players during the opening round of the tournament.
He also impressed with his positional game despite defeats against Brazil and Switzerland. Having matured and improved since then, it’s obvious why clubs like West Ham would be interested in his services.
