Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be keen on signing Nikola Milkenovic
What's the word?
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are keeping tabs on the Fiorentina colossus ahead of a potential swoop. He told We Are Tottenham TV last week:
"Milenkovic is an interesting situation because his contract expires in two years. At the moment he doesn’t want to extend his contract and Fiorentina knows that he wants to move.
"Let’s see if Tottenham will go for him or not, but for sure he’s appreciated. At the moment he’s not the first choice, but he is appreciated."
Imagine him & Hojbjerg
It's no secret that Spurs boss Jose Mourinho would like a new centre-back this window, so perhaps he ought to urge Daniel Levy into making a move this window.
After all, the north Londoners remain firmly in all competitions at the half-way point of the season, meaning there's a genuine chance they could seal their first piece of silverware since 2008 - especially given they are in the Carabao Cup final.
If Mourinho is to meet such ambitions, then he quite clearly needs that new central defensive option, and there's surely no one better out there right now considering the 6 foot 5 Serbian doesn't want to remain at the Serie A outfit for the long-term.
The 23-year-old is also thought to be available for just €25m (£22.5m) as per La Nazione.
Despite being nowhere near his peak, the La Viola powerhouse has been making great strides in the league. Per WhoScored, he's been their best player, managing a squad-high average rating of 6.94.
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He's also topped the charts for key defensive attributes, averaging 3.7 aerial duels won, 3.3 clearances, 1.6 tackles and 0.9 blocks per game. This makes him not only an aerial monster but also equally adept when the game is played on the deck as clearly, he's not an easy man to bypass.
For comparison, this is largely better than all of Mourinho's current central options as Milenkovic ranks better than Eric Dier and Toby Aldweireld for all but clearances and blocks, whilst he's clear of Davinson Sanchez in all facets, per WhoScored.
Having such an imposing figure, one that has been likened to Premier League great Nemanja Vidic, could hand Mourinho a perfect spine for the future as he's only 23.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been a resolute presence just in front of the defence - arguably their player of the season so far, and the 'captain without the armband' is only 25.
That's one solid backbone for the next four to five years, at least.
Also dubbed a "beast" by former coach Ivan Tomic, Milenkovic is evidently a colossal defender and given his comparisons to Vidic, he must be a leader-like figure too - just as Hojbjerg is.
These are all characteristics that'll suit Mourinho to a tee and thus, the 'Special One' must urge Levy into sanctioning a deal for the Fiorentina star this month.
Whilst it would help their immediate quest for silverware immensely, he'd be a piece for the long-term future. Alongside Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Tanguy Ndombele, Spurs would be set for many, many years.
AND in other news, Levy struck DREAM deal over £45m-rated "born leader" who's a "steal"...