AC Milan ended up signing Strahinja Pavlovic to reinforce the centre-back department, but there was another option they concretely evaluated: Diogo Leite of Union Berlin.
Calciomercato.com recall that Milan ended up adding Pavlovic and also Emerson Royal from Spurs during the window that has just closed, but the defence could have spoken even more Portuguese because Geoffrey Moncada and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had an eye on Leite.
The Union Berlin centre-back – who is left-footed and can also play left-back – has been watched by Milan for a while, even when he was in the youth sector of Porto (with whom he won a UEFA Youth League) before collecting 51 senior appearances in the first team and moving to Germany in 2022.
Before the Rossoneri decided to make a move for Pavlović they took a serious look at Leite. He was one of the best in the entire Bundesliga in terms of duels won, kilometres covered and balls recovered.
His numbers even attracted the attention of Real Madrid in January, while at the end of the season an attempt was made by RB Leipzig, but they came to nothing and thus Leite continues to build on his 82 appearances for Union.
Milan were not the only Italian club to recently show interest in the 25-year-old: in the very last days of the window, Fiorentina also tried to secure his services. The Berlin club asked for a permanent deal and at least €16m, so they turned to Matias Moreno who they got from Belgrano for around €5m.
We still should have signed him as a backup to Theo. Smh
Pavlo can also play LB… But neither of them is proficient at it
Do you know who was never evaluated or even given a proper chance?
Probably our player of the season last season – Gabbia.
And that was without having a midfield in front of him. Like at all.
Do you know who started (and once again failed) against Torino?
Thiaw.
Imagine if Gabbia had made the same mistakes as Pavlovic?
You wouldn’t see people lining up to make excuses.
If Fonseca wants to know why morale isn’t great it’s because he turned up and called for a replacements for the club captain and longest serving player, and the player of the season last year.
A manager that does not recognise and reward loyalty and commitment tends to be rewarded in kind.
Cry man cry.
pavlo dosent have the pace
Absolutely wrong.
Did you see him in the Euros and when he had to go against Saka. Man got burned on left side the whole game
Overall he’s been great and is still well rated. One game isn’t indicative of the whole.
How’s he been great?
We’ve conceded 4 goals in the 2 games he’s played!
But quick make excuses for the new signing.
Pavlovic is looking really good for being thrown in almost immediately. Anything with communication is still being worked out. He’s playing in central defense in a new league and a new team with people who don’t speak his native language. I heard most footballers do use English though to communicate as a common language, but that’s my guess
heard the same. makes sense. we are the international now
Ok so all the more reason not to sign him….
You’ve literally set out precisely the challenge with new signings.
Do you think we have time to wait?
This is elite football where a split second makes all of the difference.
Do you not think building on the Gabbia and Tomori partnership from last season and just adding an actual DM in front of them would’ve given us a better start?
Even signing a player who has been there and done it like Hummels might have worked given his vast experience.
Cry man cry.
Kiwior being sat as fourth choice for Arsenal is just sad too, what a waste of a talented player – should be playing for someone
Meh. He knew what he was getting into. Did he really expect to become a starter coming from Spezia? He’s where he wanted to be: in the EPL making EPL money. He’s fine.
He earns 2M at Arsenal..not exactly crazy ep mone..but he did play for 100k at spezia so it is a major raise for him. That’s all net ofc
Start Gabbia more! He’s better than this guy and Pavlovic. Milan needs Italian players, we are the club that had its greatest era with players like Inzaghi, Gattuso, Maldini, Nesta, Pirlo and Costacurta.