Di Marzio: Milan beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to Popovic signing – the details

AC Milan’s first reinforcement of the January transfer market is a striker and he will arrive from Serbia. His name? Matija Popovic, of Partizan Belgrade.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Milan management have recently found an agreement over personal terms with Popovic that will facilitate his arrival on a free transfer in the winter, thanks to the fact his current  contract is expiring on December 31st.

Popovic, therefore, will soon be a Milan player. Now it’s a question of details, but a deal has been struck and the forward will arrive in Italy after turning 18 – i.e. from 8 January onwards – to complete the usual medical examination process and sign the contract.

The agreement reached with the player will last until June 2028 meaning he will sign for four and a half years. The Rossoneri see excellent potential in him and will immediately bring him to train with the first team.

Popovic combines dribbling, speed and a slender physique (195cm tall) as well as creativity and the ability to play virtually anywhere across the forward line. At the U17 Euros in May, his Serbia beat Italy 2-1 and drew 1-1 against Lamine Yamal’s Spain. All three assists were registered by Popovic.

It is no coincidence that the Partizan talent was wanted by Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona (as well as other Italian and international clubs). The Blaugrana had also tried a blitz by sending emissaries to Belgrade to close the deal, but to no avail. Popovic will soon be a Rossoneri player, thanks to the excellent work of the trio Furlani, Moncada and D’Ottavio.