A few days ago various reports seemed to suggest that Matija Popovic would be joining AC Milan on a free transfer, and once again things on that front have gone quiet.
Calciomercato.com for example reported on 28 December that there is an agreement over a five-year contract with Popovic, and that the Rossoneri would deposit his contract around January 8 when he will turn 18. Within 1/2 days of that date he was expected to be in Milan to sign the contract.
However, Matteo Moretto has now provided an update on things, or rather has remarked that everything is the same as it was a few weeks ago and that some doubts remain to be resolved.
The journalist claims that the Popović situation ‘has not changed’ because the management have not yet decided whether to deposit the contract of the Serbian striker or not.
The reasons for this are bureaucratic: he would occupy a position as a non-EU player, which is the last one that is available. The final decision will arrive ‘in the next few days’ as per Moretto.
In the replies to the tweet, he then explains that – after the arrival of Samuel Chukwueze in the summer – the club must fill the last of the two annual non-EU slots available in order to keep two for the next season. In other words, using it has benefits.
Gonna be hugely disapointed if we throw this deal away while we basically already bagged it.
Non EU slots are worth gold. Guess they need to make sure there’s no conflict during the winter window.
Yh true that but at the same time they can sign him ASAP and then sell krunic so they could get the second non eu spot and possibly be Guirassy according to the article about non eu spots
I hope we get Guirassy as well but signing popovic wouldnt make that come in danger as Guirassy is born in france and also has french passport.
Cant say i care about using the scond spot for him.
Me too they put so much effort in scouting and talking to the agent that they have to sign him
Yeah and he is considered one of the biggest talents in the world born in 2006 so i would be pretty angry if we let this one slip through as i think he will cost a bunch in a 3 years time. The fact that man city also wants him should tell a thing or two and give us an easy choice to just get it done as i doubt that we will regret it.