Portsmouth push towards eye-catching £3.5m deal for UD Almeria striker Marko Milovanović
Developments today as Pompey push forward with a landmark deal for the UD Almeria man amid increased transfer spending this summer.
Pompey are progressing towards significantly bolstering their front line with the capture of Marko Milovanović.
The News understands the Blues are making headway in talks with Spanish side UD Almería, as they bid to bring in the Serb powerhouse.
Pompey progress towards eye-catching Marko Milovanović capture
It’s believed Pompey tabled an initial bid of £2.5m with a 10 per cent sell-on clause inserted into the agreement, for the man known as Marezi.
That offer was rejected by the Segunda Division outfit, with Almeria initially asking for as much as £4.2m for the 22-year-old with a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
Now reports in Spain suggest the two clubs are close to reaching an agreement on the Marezi fee, with Almeria making a profit on the £3m they paid Partizan Belgrade for their player four years ago.
Personal terms are not believed to be an issue, with the pathway becoming clear to Pompey completing an eye-catching summer signing.
Marezi’s stock is on the rise after a positive campaign spent on loan in the Portuguese top flight with Alverca, where he scored 10 goals in 32 appearances.
Alverca were keen to explore bringing the 6ft 4in man back for another season on loan or by acquiring 50 per cent of his rights, according to Marca journalist Antonio Martinez.
But that notion was knocked back by Almeria, who yesterday appointed García Pimienta as their new head coach, with talks with Pompey continuing.
A deal for Marezi will likely raise the bar for the club’s spending this summer, as they show intent to progress in the Championship next term.
A £2.1m agreement is in place with Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK for midfielder Rocco Shein, which would be the biggest fee paid for a player at Fratton Park in 16 years.
It would also represent the most shelled out for a signing in the Eisner era, usurping the £1.25m Sydney FC received for Hayden Matthews in January of last year.
That bar will be raised by a Marezi deal being sealed, however, after Pompey boss John Mousinho confirmed the playing and transfer budgets have been increased at Fratton Park this summer.