Inter were urged to pursue a deal for Napoli defender Nikola Maksimovic by one of the Serbian’s former coaches today.

The Nerazzurri are likely to need at least one centre-back in the upcoming transfer window, with Aleksandar Kolarov and Andrea Ranocchia both out of contract in the summer.

Giampiero Ventura coached Maksimovic for three seasons at Torino and is convinced the 29-year-old – who is available on a free transfer and wanted by Inter – would be an ideal signing for Antonio Conte.

“I really liked Maksimovic, although he needed a bit of time to establish himself,” former Italy boss Ventura told FcInter1908.it.

“He didn’t play for the first four months (after joining from Spartak Moscow) because he needed to adapt to Italian football, but once he was in the team he never came out again.

“Maksimovic was a very important player for us, a defender with great potential.”

Maksimovic left Torino to join Napoli in 2016 and has since made 99 appearances for the Partenopei, scoring twice and providing two assists.

He has played 27 times for Gennaro Gattuso’s side this season, although he was an unused substitute for both of Napoli’s games against Inter.

“We’ve never seen the real Maksimovic at Napoli, not least because he was used to playing in a three-man defence with us,” Ventura argued.

“If he joined Inter, he would be a very important reinforcement for Conte’s 3-5-2 system and he has a lot of character and pride.

“He would have a real point to prove so I think he’d be a great signing.”

Ventura also heaped praise on Conte – who he succeeded as Italy coach in 2016 – for the job he had done at Inter, with the Nerazzurri now only four points away from being crowned Serie A champions.

“Inter have gone from being way adrift of Juventus to (probably) winning Serie A in the space of two seasons,” he added.

“This hasn’t happened by chance, it’s because of the work Conte has done and his ferocious determination.

“There are huge merits for Conte in what Inter are doing, that’s for sure, although the players deserve big credit for taking on all his ideas as well.”