Transfer Centre

Fiorentina 'reject Arsenal bid for Nikola Milenkovic'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 August 2022

Fiorentina reportedly reject a bid from Arsenal for centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, who is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Arsenal have reportedly seen a bid for Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic rejected by the Serie A side.

The highly-rated 24-year-old is due to become a free agent at the end of the season and is understood to have attracted the interest of various European-competing clubs.

Manchester United were briefly tipped to make a move for Milenkovic this summer, but Erik ten Hag instead elected to reunite with Lisandro Martinez after their successful stint at Ajax.

West Ham United have also been linked with the Serbia international, with David Moyes on the hunt for defensive reinforcements following Nayef Aguerd's injury and Issa Diop's imminent departure.

Milenkovic is not thought to be one of the Hammers' priorities, though, and Arsenal reportedly tried to make a move for the defender earlier in the window.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on August 5, 2022 © Reuters

According to Corriere dello Sport - via The Sun - Arsenal approached Fiorentina with an offer for Milenkovic, but La Viola quickly rebuffed the Gunners' bid.

The report adds that Fiorentina value the centre-back at around £18.5m and are now confident of agreeing a contract extension with the player until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Sevilla, Juventus and Inter Milan were also believed to have been interested in Milenkovic, who has scored 14 goals in 171 games for Fiorentina since arriving from Partizan Belgrade in 2017.

Arsenal have already butted heads with Fiorentina a couple of times this year, firstly losing out on the signature of Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus in the January transfer window.

Lucas Torreira starred for La Viola on loan last term and was widely expected to complete a permanent return to Italy, as his contract with Fiorentina included a £12.5m option-to-buy clause.

Lucas Torreira in action for Fiorentina in April 2022 © Reuters

However, Fiorentina tried to negotiate a lower fee with Arsenal and a deal did not materialise, ultimately leading the Uruguayan midfielder to sign for Galatasaray for a £5.5m fee.

Arteta witnessed Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes keep a clean sheet in their opening 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Friday, but the Gunners boss is still on the lookout for new faces.

"We are going to try. If we can do them, great. But now it's work with the players we have, the focus should be with the players we have," Arteta told Sky Sports News when questioned on more incomings. "You need the right balance because if you come short in terms of physicality in this game, you're going to be exposed.

"The most important thing is to win the first match, to build confidence and momentum. Then you can talk about things we need to improve - there were quite a few today, to be honest."

Arsenal also have Rob Holding competing for a place in the backline, but Pablo Mari will most likely leave this summer, with Hellas Verona and Monza both interested in his services.

A new midfielder could also be on the agenda for Arsenal, but the North London club have supposedly decided against signing Leicester City's Youri Tielemans this summer.