West Ham United could finally clinch the summer signing of Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The 6 foot 5 titan has long been linked with a move to the London Stadium, and it now appears that the Hammers could get their man when the transfer window opens again in the coming months.

What is the latest news involving Milenkovic?

Reports emerged last summer that David Moyes' side were actually edging close to a £14m deal to sign Milenkovic, but a move failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

The centre-back would then go on to sign a new contract with Fiorentina that August, insisting that he had never asked to leave the Serie A side and that he was proud to stay put.

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Despite penning a new deal with the Viola, news linking Milenkovic with a move away from the club has not dissipated.

Indeed, earlier this calendar year, it was suggested that the contract was nothing more than a 'gentleman's agreement' between the two parties, and that the expectations are he would move on this summer.

What has O'Rourke said about Milenkovic?

While those rumours persist of a departure from Fiorentina, Milenkovic has remained a mainstay of the first-team set-up for the Italians, playing 31 games across all competitions.

Now, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O'Rourke has delivered a significant boost to West Ham's chances of bringing the Serbia international over to the Premier League this summer.

He said: "The deal was close to being done, before I think personal terms, maybe with the agent, saw the move fall through. So maybe those issues have been resolved. There's a real possibility this deal could happen."

An exciting coup for Moyes and West Ham

If the Hammers can finally pull off a deal for Milenkovic, then it would certainly go down as an exciting capture for the London club.

As well as Moyes' side, Manchester United have also been touted with interest in the 24-year-old defender so he is clearly very highly-rated by some top clubs.

Standing at an imposing 6 foot 5, the big Serb would certainly fit the mould of a Moyes signing, joining the likes of Tomas Soucek as very dangerous players in the air and on set-pieces.

As per Whoscored, he's won 3.2 aerial duels per game this season in Serie A, which ranks him as the sixth-best in the entire division.

But not only is the £17m-rated ace a dominant figure in the air, Milenkovic has also come on leaps and bounds with his ability on the ball, boasting a very impressive 90.4% pass accuracy - a stat that places him in the top 20 in the Italian top-flight.

Milenkovic's arrival would bolster West Ham's centre-back options significantly, and it's why O'Rourke's update on the defender is a real exciting one.