After a slow start to the summer transfer window AC Milan seem to be finally making some ground on various different fronts, with Strahinja Pavlovic pretty much a done deal.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport report this morning, Red Bull Salzburg’s last resistance has ‘now been broken’ and Pavlovic is very close to joining. The centre-back wants to join the Rossoneri and he made that clear while negotiations between the clubs were ongoing, which helped Milan.
Milan negotiated carefully but in the end a deal was able to be concluded for a figure around €20m, with the fixed number a bit less than that and bonuses making up the rest. The paper points out that the initial asking price was much higher.
Pavlovic will earn €1.5m net per season with the Diavolo, a little more than double his current salary. He will pack his bags now and wait for the final green light, while Malick Thiaw is expected to leave for Newcastle United, with Milan waiting for a €35-40m bid.
Those two moves won’t be the only changes in defence because there will be an acceleration for Emerson Royal after Alessandro Florenzi’s injury. The offer of €15m will end up being accepted with some bonuses potentially bridging the gap.
Royal has often found himself a reserve under Ange Postecoglou and that is why the player is happy to try a new experience in Italy, after previous spells in Brazil and Spain.
The signing to make it ‘three in a row’ could be Youssouf Fofana but Monaco must first accept the Rossoneri’s offer. Fofana has already done so: he has promised himself to Milan and is keeping his promise despite a richer offer from West Ham.
