The prospect of a central defensive partnership between Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic has Nottingham Forest fans eagerly anticipating the new season.
The Reds have clearly needed to bolster their defense. After the departures of Felipe, Scott McKenna, Loic Mbe Soh, and Moussa Niakhate, their defensive options were thin—especially with Joe Worrall and Jonathan Panzo also likely to leave before the transfer window closes.
Securing Willy Boly to a new deal earlier this summer was crucial. The 33-year-old remains a key member of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad for the 2024/25 season, but his involvement in every game is uncertain.
Andrew Omobamidele is also expected to contribute significantly. However, Forest appear to have made an excellent acquisition in Milenkovic for an initial £12 million. NottinghamshireLive explores what fans can expect from this new addition.
Vidic comparison
Standing at 6ft 5in, Nikola Milenkovic is undoubtedly a commanding presence. His aerial prowess is expected to help Nuno address Nottingham Forest’s set-piece issues. Additionally, he can operate as a right-back.
With over 200 appearances for Fiorentina and more than 50 caps for Serbia, Milenkovic brings significant experience. At 26, he is at a prime age to challenge himself in the Premier League.
A comparison to another Serbian defender, Nemanja Vidic, bodes well for Milenkovic’s potential impact in English football. Former Serbia head coach Mladen Krstajic once noted in 2018 that Milenkovic reminded him of Vidic, who enjoyed a stellar eight-year spell at Manchester United. “I know Milenkovic well,” Krstajic said. “He’s centered and knows how to behave well in training. He reminds me of (Nemanja) Vidic.”
When asked about the comparison, Milenkovic, quoted by GOAL, said: “It is magnificent to be compared to the likes of Vidic, but I have to stay humble with both feet firmly on the ground. Vidic was one hell of a player, while I am in the fledgling stage of my career and, hence, I have to keep working hard in order to climb that mountain.” He added, “I would like to have his (Vidic’s) ability to put his opponent in difficulty, any opponent in the world.”
Career so far
Nikola Milenkovic rose through the ranks at Partizan Belgrade, making over 30 league appearances for the club and spending a loan spell at Teleoptik before joining Fiorentina in 2017 for a reported £4 million.
Internationally, Milenkovic was part of Serbia’s squads for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and this year’s Euros, playing in every group stage match, including the recent game against England in Germany.
Once described as “fearless,” Milenkovic has consistently stood up to any opponent. He quickly became a cult hero at Fiorentina at the age of 20 when, during a match against Juventus, he confronted Gonzalo Higuain by pressing his forehead against Higuain’s during a heated exchange.
“I’ll tell you the truth, for me, the name of the opponent doesn’t matter,” Milenkovic said afterward. “It’s never conditioned me. Everyone deserves respect and great application if you want to do your job well. The Juve centre-forward or not, they’re all the same for me; I have to do everything to stop them.”
Milenkovic has picked up a few red cards during his career, viewing them as learning experiences. Continuous improvement is a key goal for him.
“I needed the reds; I learned from them,” he previously explained. “That’s my character: I always like to learn, to understand. Even when I was on the bench (at Fiorentina), I tried to absorb everything. I never missed a thing from the games I watched without playing. Only in this way can one improve. That has always been my mentality since I was a child. I watch the big games because I like football but above all else because I want to improve. One understands so many things by watching the best players.”
Premier League interest
Following his standout performance at the 2018 World Cup, Nikola Milenkovic was reportedly scouted by Manchester United, with a valuation around 50 million euros (£42 million) at the time.
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Although a move to Manchester United didn’t happen, English clubs showed interest again this summer. Besides Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, and Aston Villa also reportedly considered him, with West Ham United linked last year.
Agent Vincenzo Morabito suggested that Fiorentina could have gotten more money for Milenkovic if they had sold him to West Ham a year ago. He told Tutto Mercato Web: “Players must be sold at the right time, and perhaps his time was when he was close to West Ham. Today, in my opinion, Fiorentina cannot expect big figures. Paradoxically, if he leaves, Fiorentina will be forced to spend the same money or more to replace him. At this point, I would let him go and bring in a younger player.”
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