Nikola Milenkovic has handed Arsenal and Tottenham a transfer market blow by signing a new contract with Fiorentina.
Reports in Italy suggested the Serie A side would have accepted a bid as low as £12.6million earlier in the summer amid fears the centre-back would walk away for free when his deal expired next year.
However, a new contract to 2027 was announced on Thursday to end talk of Milenkovic leaving, with Juventus also interested.
He told reporters: “Now I feel like a leader of this team, I made an important choice for my future when I realised that this decision is what I wanted most on the inside.”
😀😃#ForzaViola 💜 #Fiorentina #ACFFiorentina #Milenkovic2027 pic.twitter.com/zXO4EoA3Hm
— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) August 11, 2022
Tottenham are understood to be in talks with Fiorentina over a loan move for Giovani Lo Celso, although the Italian club denied those reports earlier in the week.
Outgoings will now take priority for Antonio Conte’s team after a failed move for Nicolo Zaniolo, with Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks all transfer-listed.
Arsenal continue to be linked with Youri Tielemans and Yeremy Pino as Mikel Arteta looks to spruce up his attack before the transfer deadline.
