Matija Popovic has ended up at the very top of AC Milan’s wish list. According to a report, the Rossoneri have already tabled an offer for the 17-year-old starlet, keen on getting the deal over the line.
The attacking midfielder is currently owned by Partizan Belgrade but his contract will expire at the end of the year. Having scored 20 goals and assisted an additional five for the U17 team last season, it’s not surprising that he has been linked with several big clubs.
According to Calciomercato.com, the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig have all expressed their interest in Popovic. Milan have moved quickly, though, tabling a five-year contract with ‘significant’ figures given the player’s age.
Milan are now awaiting a response and there is cautious optimism, as the report concludes. Popovic hasn’t featured for Partizan Belgrade in the last seven months due to the contract situation, refusing the renewal offered by the Serbian side.
In short, although he would be a good signing for Ignazio Abate and the Primavera side, he would need time to get back into match fitness. The Rossoneri’s pursuit was also confirmed by Fabrizio Romano earlier today, stating that they are confident.
Oh for god sake, he hasn’t played in 7 months and he’s 17yo. So he was basicly 16yo last time he played football competitively. PASSS
The fact he and his reps would go to such lengths at this stage of his development is incredible. I would not want to be dealing with them or him. Buyer beware, you have been warned
“Popovic hasn’t featured for Partizan Belgrade in the last seven months due to the contract situation, refusing the renewal offered by the Serbian side.”
The club are trying to sabotage his career because he refused to renew his contract with them. The issue is the club, not the player or his agents.
Kinda a harsh opinion don’t you think?
Let him go to Leipzig or Salzburg where he would develope , Milan dnt apreciate young players from their academy.
Another waste, we are the only club never learn from past mistakes.
We signed different young wannabe Vlahovic and what happened to him? What is the purpose of this transfer?
The club won’t play him. The player isn’t refusing. The club is punishing him for not signing a renewal
Exactly, he was 16 turning 17 when this saga began. He refused to sign a contract with the club that reared him.
Like most young players he could have signed a 2-3 year contract. Got some minutes for the 1st team. Then move on when the time is right and his club get payed, simple, honest, sensible.
The club are not going to play him/ train him for nothing, what do u expect. They have other players to focus on that want to be part of the club.
These kind of tactics at 16/17 yo are shocking
Honestly, something I am not sure that our hierarchy understands is at the heart of this.
If Popovic is a great prospect, I accept he is, his choice is not going to be based on the contract itself.
If the kid is a serious player who is serious about his career, which is what we hope his is, his choice is going to be based on ‘the project’. That is, the pathway he has into our best 25 players.
This contract is not relevant to a gun pro. A pro is thinking about the contract he will get at 19/20 once he is dominating.
We may still be able to sell the vision to players like Popovic but we’re very quickly going to have to prove the existence of the pathway or we’re not going to be able to sign these players.
I completely agree about showing there is a pathway to the 1st team, that’s vital for signing young talents and also vital to inspire the young italian guys who grew up there.
My question mark about Popovic is related to what you say. He should not be concerned with a contract now but the best place to develop. That’s why it’s shocking he didn’t sign a deal with Partizan at 16 and continue his development. So unfortunately he or his reps seem more concerned with short term pay day over developing his game
Lazetic 2.0
whats the point