In a recent report, Calciomercato has claimed that West Ham United could land their former target and current Napoli centre-back Nikola Maksimovic for free this summer. It is believed that the Naples club are struggling to agree on terms over a new contract which could open the door for the Hammers to snap up the Serbian defender on a free transfer when his current contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium comes to an end (via Calciomercato).
Maksimovic’s Rollercoaster Season In Italian Football
Maksimovic has experienced an up and down season with Napoli so far after struggling to earn regular first-team starts under Gennaro Gattuso’s stewardship. The 29-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Italian giants this term, receiving a total of 1308 minutes of game time across multiple competitions.
The Serbian international has done well to average 0.9 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game in the Serie A this season. He has even been excellent when distributing possession out from defence as he has completed 94.8% of his attempted passes in the Italian top tier (stats via whoscored).
The London Stadium could be an attractive destination for someone like Maksimovic as he will be able to play regular Premier League football as a key member of David Moyes’ squad. At 29, he doesn’t have too many years left in his locker to play at a high level, so this summer would be a good time for him to switch clubs in search of a new adventure.
What Does The Serbian Sensation Offer On The Pitch?
Maksimovic is not the quickest of defenders but makes up for his lack of pace by being a dominant force in the air. He can use his strong 1.93m frame to overpower the opposition and win some important aerial duels for this team.
The 25-time Serbian international possesses good defensive awareness that allows him to win possession back for his team. He is also an accurate passer of the ball but can sometimes be a liability on the pitch because of his lack of mobility.
Should The Hammers Get Maksimovic On Board?
West Ham have currently got Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna serving as the first-choice centre-backs while both Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena serve as their back-ups in David Moyes’ squad. Hence, there is no immediate need for the Hammers boss to recruit a new centre-back.
However, if Moyes is willing to let one of his current defensive options leave, he should consider getting Maksimovic on board in the summer. The Serbian powerhouse will add more depth and increase competition for places within the Hammers’ squad. Plus, a player of Maksimovic’s experience could help West Ham challenge for European football in the coming seasons.
