West Ham United are in the race to seal Nikola Maksimovic in a free transfer this summer...

What's the word?

That's according to Plaza Deportivo, who claim the Irons are in a battle with La Liga outfit Valencia to sign the 29-year-old centre-back, whilst there's also thought to be interest from Italy and Real Betis.

Maksimovic will be free to join whoever he wants next week when his contract finishes at Napoli, where he has been a regular presence for the past five seasons.

He's currently valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, so it could certainly present some fantastic business for a team like West Ham, especially as manager David Moyes is said to be keen to bolster his central defensive options this window.

Absolute bargain

Given the need to strengthen areas right across the pitch, landing a vastly experienced defender could be an astute move to make.

The need for a new striker is perhaps paramount, whilst there is little depth in central midfield and at full-back, where injuries plagued the Hammers throughout 2020/21.

Capped 25 times by Serbia, the 6 foot 4 colossus would be a low-risk solution to Moyes' needs. He has played 132 times in the Italian top-flight and 41 times across both European competitions, via Transfermarkt, something that cannot be said for much of the current squad.

In the past, he has been likened to former Manchester United brute Nemanja Vidic, which could suggest he'd be the perfect fit for Premier League football.

As would his average of at least 1.8 aerial duels won per game across the last two seasons whilst Maksimovic has also proven his ability on the ball, managing an impressive career average passing accuracy of 89.3%, via WhoScored.

It's no wonder former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, who managed him at the Stadio San Paolo, dubbed him the "complete" defender. "He has no problems. I am satisfied, he is an excellent defender, complete, flexible and fast, he can play both centre-right and centre-left."

Moyes must urge a move for the free agent next week, he won't cost GSB a penny.

AND in other news, Moyes can repeat West Ham's Lingard masterstroke amid ExWHUemployee transfer claim...