Football
Exclusive: West Ham and Fulham Open Talks to Sign Former AC Milan Striker Luka Jovic
West Ham and Fulham are interested in signing former AC Milan striker Luka Jovic, who is now a free agent. The experienced Serbia international is keen on a move to the Premier League after falling down the pecking order at Milan. Both clubs are looking for a new striker and believe Jovic's experience can benefit their teams.
Luka Jovic of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A football... by Nicolò Campo | Getty Images
West Ham and Fulham have both expressed an interested in signing former AC Milan striker Luka Jovic, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The Hammers and Cottagers have both made initial enquiries about signing Jovic, who is now a free agent following the expiry of his contract with the Italian giants.
Experienced Serbia international Jovic was not offered a new deal this summer having fallen down the pecking order at the San Siro.
The 27-year-old frontman played just 15 league games last season for Milan and was cut from their Champions League squad last campaign.
However, the 45-cap striker famously bagged a brilliant brace as Milan beat derby rivals Inter Milan 3-0 in the Coppa Italia last season.
He joined the club in September 2023 on a season-long deal and scored nine goals in 30 appearances in his first season at the club.
But last term he scored just twice in the league and found himself surplus to requirements as the club let his deal run down.
PREMIER LEAGUE DESIRE
And our sources have discovered that Jovic is now ready for a move to the Premier League having spent most of his career so far playing in Europe.
He started his career with Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian SuperLiga, followed by spells with Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt, before a high-profile move to Real Madrid.
He played three seasons for Real in La Liga, but managed just three goals in 51 games for the club.
A loan move to Fiorentina saw him score 13 goals in 50 games, but as yet Jovic has respectively failed to fire on full cylinders in his career.
The Hammers and Cottagers are both keen to sign a new striker ahead of the start of the Premier League season next season and Jovic, who has 86 goals from 311 career appearances, has the experience both clubs are looking for.
But the question remains whether he can score the goals that either club need in the top-flight.
SportsBoom understands he commanded a £65,000 wage at Milan, but it is believed both clubs would be willing to cater for that given no transfer fee being involved.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.