Strahinja Pavlovic is set to join AC Milan in the coming days, with a deal in place with RB Salzburg. The defender is expected to make the move for a sum worth €18 million including add-ons, with personal terms already agreed.
The player only wanted to sign for the Rossoneri, and is now close to making it happen. The centre-back is expected to undergo his medical tests this week to finalise the transfer.
AC Milan to close deal for Strahinja Pavlovic imminently
🇷🇸 Strahinja Pavlović (RB Salzburg, 23)
— DataMB (@DataMB_) July 18, 2024
Top defender ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/lOEeL9ycVe
After ensuring an injury crisis in central defence last season, Milan are keen to reinforce their squad with a new central defender. And Pavlovic fits the profile they are currently looking for, as a physically competent defender who is good in the air and comfortable playing the ball as well.
The 22-year-old is among the best in the Austrian Bundesliga in terms of key metrics such as aerial duel success rate, dribbles, offensive duels, defensive duels won and defensive duels won.
On paper, it seems like he will be a top signing for new manager Paulo Fonseca, and will likely enter the starting line-up from the beginning of the season. It will be interesting to see if Fonseca opts for a back three system, or if he chooses a two-man central defence, which would create selection problems for the coach with Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia and Malick Thiaw competing for a spot.
